Correlation of elongated styloid process with serum calcium levels

Aims & objectives: The aim of the present study is to evaluate the prevalence of styloid process and its correlation with serum calcium levels. The objectives are to evaluate the prevalence of clinical symptoms of elongated styloid process; prevalence of history of trauma to head and neck region and tonsillectomy of elongated styloid process; prevalence of elongated styloid process in age group, male and female and right and left; prevalence of pattern of calcification of stylohyoid complex; evaluate the relationship between body weight, height and elongated styloid process. Materials & methods: Digital panoramic radiographs of 500 patients in age group of 40-89 years were taken. Serum calcium estimation of all these patients was done. All the measurements and findings were compared and statistically analysed. Results: The statistical data revealed that, majority of subjects were males aged 40-49 years. Out of total 500 subjects, 41 had elongated styloid process. The incidence of elongated styloid process ranged from 0% to 28.6% in different age groups. The proportion of males with elongated styloid process (19.7%) was higher as compared to those of females (14.9%). Pattern E was most common. Mean body weight as well as mean height of subjects with elongated styloid process was observed to be significantly higher as compared to those having normal styloid process. Serum calcium levels were significantly higher (p<0.001) in subjects having styloid process as compared to subjects having normal styloid process. Conclusion: With increasing age, there was an increase in proportion of subjects with elongated styloid process, more common in males with bilateral involvement. Pattern E was the commonest pattern followed by pattern L. A very poor correlation between length of styloid process and serum calcium levels was observed signifying that serum calcium levels were not dependent on the length of styloid process.