A STUDY ABOUT THE VARIATION OF STYLOID PROCESSES IN PANORAMIC RADIOGRAPHS

파노라마 방사선사진상에서 경상돌기의 변이에 관한 연구

The purpose of this study was to investigate the variation in the length and shape of styloid processes and the relationships between the elongated styloid processes and the styloid process syndrome, using panoramic radiogrpahs and questionaires. The subjects were 342 patients consisted of 170 males and 172 females aged from 11 to 78 years, not showing facial asymmetry, who visited infirmary of dental college of Yonsei University. Also, the accuracy was determined for measuring the length of styloid processes from panoramic radiographs, using dried skulls. The results were as follows: 1. The length of styloid processes was magnified approximately 1.1 times, but there was no statistically significant differencies in the magnification rate of length between right and left side. 2. The mean radiographic length of styloid processes was 29.72±7.92㎜ in males, 27.93±6.69㎜ in females, and 28.82±7.37㎜ in total. And elongated styloid process (>30㎜) was seen in 31.3% of total subjects. 3. The growth in the length of styloid processes was completed in the third decade. 4. The most common shape of styloid processes was straight followed by segmented and bent form. The incidence of segmentation was reduced with increasing age. 5. The 74% of subjects with elongated styloid process (>30㎜) showed symptoms of the styloid process syndrome. The most frequent symptom was headache followed by discomfort in the neck when turning the head from left to right, tinnitus or earache, vague facial pain, discomfort or pain when swallowing, feeling that an object is caught in throat.