Abstract:
The styloid process is a needle-like osseous projection beneath the
temporal bone, typically measuring 2.5-3 cm. Its fracture is uncommon
and mostly occurs in elongated processes, often due to trauma, dental
procedures, or sports. This paper presents an unusual case of a normallength styloid process fracture in a 24-year-old serviceman, resulting
from a mine explosion. The patient complained of intense headaches,
and pain during yawning, swallowing, and head rotation. Examination
revealed pain in the left pterygopalatine fossa, and decreased pharyngeal reflex on the left, and a CT scan showed brain contusion, subarachnoid haemorrhage and a linear fracture in the normal-sized left
styloid process, with no displacement. Treatment with anti-inflammatory drugs and muscle relaxants led to symptoms improvement, and
no fragment dislocation was observed in a follow-up CT. This report
contributes to understanding the diagnosis of normal-length styloid
process fractures, contrasting with the more reported elongated ones.
