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Spontaneous fracture of an ossified stylohyoid ligament

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 June 2007

Karin Blomgren*
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Jyväskylä Central Hospital, Finland.
Yrjö Qvarnberg
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Jyväskylä Central Hospital, Finland.
Hannu Valtonen
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Jyväskylä Central Hospital, Finland.
*
Address for correspondence: Karin Blomgren, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Jyväskylä Central Hospital, Keskussairaalantie 19, FIN-40620 Jyväsklä, Finland. Fax: +358 14 691098.

Abstract

The stylohyoid ligament extends from the styloid process to the hyoid bone. For an unknown reason it occasionally ossifies and forms a solid structure which can break because of trauma or even spontaneously. Symptoms of the fracture may mimic tumours, foreign bodies, infections or neuralgia. In our cases a spontaneous fracture of totally ossified stylohyoid ligaments presented as a painful neck swelling. The diagnosis was achieved by an ortopantomographic radiograph. In both cases the healing was spontaneous and complete.

Type
Clinical Records
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 1999

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