Unexpected bony structure in tonsillar fossa during tonsillectomy

  • Ljiljana Čvorović Clinic for Otorhinolaringology and Maxillofacial Surgery, Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia; Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
  • Milan B. Jovanović Clinic for Otorhinolaringology and Maxillofacial Surgery, Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia; Clinical Hospital Center “Zemun”, Belgrade, Serbia
  • Dragoslava Djerić Clinic for Otorhinolaringology and Maxillofacial Surgery, Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia; Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
  • Nenad Arsović Clinic for Otorhinolaringology and Maxillofacial Surgery, Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia; Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
Keywords: temporomandibular joint disorders, ossification, heterotopic, diagnostic techniques and procedures, tonsillectomy,

Abstract


Introduction. The elongated styloid process is a very rare clinical entity. In most cases it is asymptomatic, but also could cause Eagle’s syndrome. We presented a rare case of the anatomic variation of styloid process and its clinical implication. Case report. In the left tonsillar fossa an unexpected bony structure was found during the routine tonsillectomy on a 16-year-old female patient. Computed tomography showed the elongated styloid process. No further treatment was necessary because it was asymptomatic in the follow-up period. Conclusion. The elongated styloid process is a very rare condition, but physicians should be aware of it and keep it in mind in order to make the diagnosis in patients with suggestive symptoms.

Author Biography

Ljiljana Čvorović, Clinic for Otorhinolaringology and Maxillofacial Surgery, Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia; Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
Specijalista otorinolaringolog, subspecijalista audiolog, doktor medicinskih nauka, klinički asistent

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Published
2017/06/28
Section
Case report