Prevalence and pattern of the elongated styloid process among geriatric patients in Saudi Arabia

OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this study were to assess the elongation of the styloid process on digital panoramic radiographs and to evaluate the prevalence of the elongation according to age, sex and types. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Digital panoramic radiographs of 198 geriatric edentulous patients were analyzed. The radiographic length of the styloid process was measured on both sides using the measurement toolbars on the accompanying analysis software. For statistical analysis, Student’s t-test, chi-square test and analysis of variance test were used. RESULTS: The elongated styloid process was seen in 87 of the 198 patients. It was observed that as age increased, elongation of the styloid process increased with a male predominance. Type I elongation was more common than other types of elongation. Bilateral elongation was most commonly found than unilateral elongation, and both types of elongation were frequently seen in males compared with females. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of the elongated styloid process in the present study was higher in comparison to the other reports from edentulous patients.