Fracture of the styloid process of the temporal bone: an unusual complication of dental treatment. Report of a case.

Reported in a case of fracture of the styloid process due to an uncoordinated action of the suprahyoidean and infrahyoidean musculature. The similarity of symptoms to acute disturbances of the temporomandibular joints to those of fracture of the styloid process and the differential diagnoses are discussed. Diagnosis of a fracture of the styloid process is achieved mainly by radiographic examination; history and clinical examination are merely confirmatory. Conservative and surgical treatments of fracture of the styloid process, and their respective uses, are briefly reviewed.