Evaluation of Styloid Chain Calcification to the Patient With the Temporomandibular Joint Disorder: a Retrospective Uncontrolled Cohort Study

The styloid process (SP) of the temporal bone is a long conical cartilaginous projection lies anterior to the mastoid process. Patients who have ESP or styloid chain calcification are usually asymptomatic, only 4% are symptomatic. Symptoms vary as different syndromes which related affected anatomic structures by calcified process or ligament. Temporomandibular Dysfunction (TMD) describe the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disfunction that divided three branches according to temporomandibular joint's disc status: non-displacement (ND), displacement with reduction (DWR) and displacement without reduction (DWoR). Since orofacial pain shows similar features in both ESP or styloid chain calcification and TMD, it is possible to confuse and misdiagnosis both of these clinical conditions. This study aimed to investigate the length and calcification pattern of the styloid process in patients with TMD diagnosis.