Anbiaee Najmeh, Javadzadeh Abbas
Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Radiology, Dental Research Center, Faculty of Dentistry, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
Indian J Dent Res. 2011 Sep-Oct;22(5):673-7. doi: 10.4103/0970-9290.93455.
The aims of this study were to evaluate the length, morphology, and calcification patterns of the elongated stylohyoid process (ESP) on panoramic radiographs and to investigate the symptoms related to it. We then addressed the question: Is ESP a pathologic condition or a physiologic phenomenon?
In this study, 207 stylohyoid complexes were evaluated based on length, radiographic appearance, and calcification pattern on panoramic radiographs. Similar to previous studies, we considered 30 mm as a threshold for elongation of the process. Complexes were classified into two groups based on length: ESP (greater than or equal to 30 mm) and normal (less than 30 mm). Clinical symptoms were evaluated by using a questionnaire and clinical examination. Data were analyzed by the Kolmogorov-Smilonov test, Mann-Whitney U test, and Spearman correlation.
The average length of the stylohyoid complex was 31.7 mm. The median was 30.0 mm and corresponded to the threshold for the ESP. The Spearman correlation between the length of the complex and age was 0.323 (P=0.0001). "Continuous" and "calcified outline" were the most frequent morphology and calcification pattern, respectively, for both groups. Clinical symptoms related to ESP were not detected.
Classification of the stylohyoid complexes based on apparent length on panoramic radiographs in elongated and normal types appears to be incorrect. Considering that the radiographic appearance of the ESP and normal groups was similar and pathologic symptoms were not detected and that there was a relationship between age and length of the complex, elongation of this complex can be considered as a physiologic phenomenon.
本研究旨在评估全景X线片上细长茎突（ESP）的长度、形态及钙化模式，并调查与之相关的症状。然后我们探讨了这个问题：ESP是一种病理状况还是生理现象？
本研究基于全景X线片上的长度、影像学表现及钙化模式对207个茎突复合体进行了评估。与之前的研究类似，我们将30mm作为茎突伸长的阈值。根据长度将复合体分为两组：ESP（大于或等于30mm）和正常（小于30mm）。通过问卷调查和临床检查评估临床症状。采用柯尔莫哥洛夫-斯米尔诺夫检验、曼-惠特尼U检验和斯皮尔曼相关性分析数据。
茎突复合体的平均长度为31.7mm。中位数为30.0mm，与ESP的阈值相对应。复合体长度与年龄之间的斯皮尔曼相关性为0.323（P = 0.0001）。两组中最常见的形态和钙化模式分别是“连续的”和“钙化轮廓”。未检测到与ESP相关的临床症状。
根据全景X线片上的表观长度将茎突复合体分为伸长型和正常型似乎并不正确。鉴于ESP组和正常组的影像学表现相似且未检测到病理症状，并且复合体长度与年龄之间存在关系，因此可以将该复合体的伸长视为一种生理现象。
