Posted by CCF MD on December 08, 1997 at 09:50:54:

In Reply to: Head and Neck Pain posted by Don Mikulec on November 21, 1997 at 20:26:55:

: Posted by Don Mikulec on November 18, 1997 at 21:31:28:

In Reply to: Head and Neck Pain (diagnosis but no one will treat) posted by CCF
Neuro MD on November 06, 1997 at 10:54:04:

: :
: : : : : Four generations of males in my family have suffered from left sided
: : : : : head and neck pain. After going to dozens of doctors and specialists,

: :
: : : : Your description of Eagle's syndrome is quite precise. I did not, however, know that it ran in
families.

: : : : The number to call for appointments is (800)223-2273, or (216)444-2200 locally.
: : : : Good luck!

Doctor,
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The question you ask of course has no answer and the number of cases in the
literature is so small that comment is also difficult. Eagles syndrome represents
a group of symptoms thought related to an elongated styloid process. If this
is noted on your imaging study then correcting it may or maynot correct your problem.
For a current review I suggest you look up the following articles:

Balueha et al Southern Medical Journal 90 (3) 331-4, 1997

Montalbetti et al Cephalgia 15(2) 80-93, 1995.

Good luck.

Since I last wrote, I have been seen by a vascular surgeon, a neurologist,
and a pain clinic. The vascular surgeon said the results of his exam were
"atypical" and went no further. The neurologist discovered I had reduced
sensitivity on the left side of my neck and in the area of the left side
of my jaw and refered me to a pain clinic when I refused a neurontin
script. In each case, the medical students accompanying the doctor
noticed the leision on the MRIs but was shushed by the doctor who said
it was nothing. The doctors even noted the leision in their reports
but said it wasn't worth investigating. Since then, my uncle has
been MRI'ed and a similar leision showed up in his neck; same area.
These leisions are close to the sympathetic nerve plexus on the carotid.

My Dad convinced a vascular surgeon of the problem and he removed my
Dad's leision. My Dad felt better and everyone who knew him noticed
the improvement. The remaining problem is his carotid which is
still kinked around the stylohyoid.

I guess what I'm asking is, if Eagles isn't genetic, could these leisions
be genetic and the cause of our Eagles symptoms as well as other possibly
other neurological problems.

Again Thanks,

Don