AB081. 181. Where eagles dare: Eagle syndrome and the retropharynx

Abstract: Eagle syndrome, which is due to calcified stylohyoid ligaments or an elongated styloid process, may manifest as chronic throat pain or classically, with pain on swallowing or flexing the neck laterally. These symptoms are thought to be due to either arterial or cranial nerve impingement. The use of modern imaging modalities that allow for 3D reconstruction have aided the diagnosis enormously. We present a patient who sustained blunt trauma to the neck during a sports related injury. He presented to ED with dysphagia and throat pain worsening over a number of days. He was admitted to the ICU for close observation given his high-risk airway. Plain film X-rays delineated air in the retropharynx, further confirmed by CT. His CT demonstrated bilateral calcified stylohyoid ligaments resulting in a ring of bone at the superior aspect of his larynx. He had a fracture at the stylohyoid junction, likely resulting in posterior laceration of the pharyngeal wall. He was treated conservatively and made a full recovery. This likely would not have occurred without his anatomical curiosity. Treatment options, the current stance in the literature as well as 3D reconstructions of our case are discussed.

Keywords: Eagle’s syndrome; radiology; 3D imaging