The involvement of the styloid process in head and neck pain - a preliminary study

The styloid process and associated structures have been implicated in a var iety of craniomandibular dysfunctions and pain complaints. There have been anecdotal reports that treatment directed at this area can result in a dram atic reduction in referred symptoms, somatic pain and autonomic signs as we ll as an increase in mandibular range of motion. In the past, an elongation of the styloid process was considered necessary for pain and dysfunction s ymptoms to arise from this area. The patients in this study did not have el ongated styloid processes, yet had orofacial pain and dysfunction symptoms seemingly referred from this area. An injection of local anaesthetic and co rticosteroid in the area of the styloid process significantly reduced later al head pain and improved mandibular function in spite of an absence of any demonstrable pathology at the styloid process.