Eagle syndrome or foreign body throat?

Abstract

Eagle syndrome is a rare condition caused by an elongated styloid process or abnormal calcification of the stylohyoid ligament complex. Patients typically present with recurrent throat pain, neck or facial pain, sensation of foreign body in the throat, or even dysphagia. The finding of an elongated styloid process is usually incidental, with patients having no related symptoms. Only patients with symptoms are diagnosed with Eagle syndrome. This condition may be difficult to diagnose due to its rarity and the nonspecific nature of signs and symptoms. Diagnosis is mainly by clinical assessment and confirmation with radiological evidence. We present a unique case of eagle syndrome in a patient who complained of acute neck pain after eating fish.

Keywords

• eagle syndrome
• swallowed fish bone
• stylalgia