Variants of ossification in the stylohyoid chain.

Purpose: Evaluation of age-related differences in the incidence, length and topographic location of ossifications in the stylohyoid chain. Method: Pan oramic radiographs of 380 patients (718 reviewed stylohyoid chains), subdiv ided into 4 age groups (up to 20 years, 21 to 40 years, 41 to 60 years, old er than 60 years), were reviewed and examined for the incidence, length and topographic location of stylohyoidal ossification. Results: 221 (30.8%) of 718 reviewed stylohyoidal chains showed radiological variants (elongation of the stylold process and/or ossification of the stylohyoid ligament). Wit h increasing age, there was an increase in the incidence and length of styl ohyoidal ossifications (p < 0.01). A significant linear correlation between the length of the stylohyoidal ossifications and age was only found in the young age group (up to 20 years; p < 0.01). In the young age group(up to 2 0 years), there was also a preferred presence of isolated locations in the superior stylohyoidal segment. With increasing age, there was a pronounced presence of ossifications in the middle and inferior stylohyoid segments an d combinations of ossified varibilities. Conclusion: Stylohyoidal ossificat ions show age-related differences in incidence, length and topography and c an also be put down to different pathological events. Stylohyoidal ossifica tions gain a different importance in adult patients from that in young peop le.