AN ISOLATED FRACTURE OF THE STYLOID PROCESS OF THE TEMPORAL BONE: A RARE OCCURRENCE – A CASE REPORT

Girish V Chour; Rashmi G Chour

Volume : IX, Issue : III, March - 2020

AN ISOLATED FRACTURE OF THE STYLOID PROCESS OF THE TEMPORAL BONE: A RARE OCCURRENCE – A CASE REPORT

Girish V Chour, Rashmi G Chour

Abstract :

Styloid process is a long pointed cylindrical bone seen bilaterally on the temporal bone just below the auditory meatus. This process is about 25 mm in length. It acts as an important anchorage point for many muscles and ligaments which help in stabilising the mandible and assist in swallowing. Since the process is quite secure due to the attachments, an isolated traumatic fracture of the styloid process is a rare condition. An isolated fracture of the styloid process poses a challenge for diagnosis as the symptoms mimic temporomandibular joint disorder. This article is a case report of such an isolated traumatic fracture of the styloid process which was misdiagnosed as temporomandibular joint disorder.