Styloidogenic Jugular Venous Compression Syndrome: A Rare Vascular Variant of Eagle Syndrome.
7 affiliations
- 1Department of Neurosurgery, King's College Hospital London, Dubai, UAE.
- 2Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, King's College Hospital London, Dubai, UAE.
- 3Department of Radiology, King's College Hospital London, Dubai, UAE.
- 4College of Medicine, Gulf Medical University, Ajman, UAE.
- 5Current affiliation: Department of Training and Development, Emirates Health Services, Sharjah, UAE.
- 6Current affiliation: Department of Medical Education, King's College Hospital London, Dubai, UAE.
- 7Department of Medicine, King's College Hospital London, Dubai, UAE.
Abstract
Background and importance
Styloidogenic jugular venous compression syndrome, a recently recognized vascular variant of Eagle syndrome, a rare condition caused by the elongation of the styloid process or calcification of the stylohyoid ligament, occurs when the internal jugular vein is compressed between the styloid process and C1 transverse process, leading to a spectrum of neurovascular and cervicofacial symptoms.Clinical presentation
A 46-year-old male pilot presented with right-sided pulsatile tinnitus, vertigo, and episodic near-syncope that progressively worsened over 4 years despite multiple interventions. Computed tomography and MRI revealed an elongated right styloid process (approximately 35 mm) compressing the internal jugular vein against the C1 transverse process. The patient underwent a right-sided styloidectomy with partial resection of the C1 transverse process by a transcervical approach. The facial and spinal accessory nerves were preserved, and postoperative recovery was uneventful. By postoperative day 2, the patient reported near-complete resolution of tinnitus and pain, with sustained improvement at 1-month follow-up.Conclusion
Styloidogenic jugular venous compression syndrome should be considered for patients with pulsatile tinnitus or symptoms of impaired cerebral venous outflow. Computed tomography venography is considered the diagnostic gold standard. Surgical decompression through styloidectomy with C1 resection can provide effective and durable symptom relief. Early diagnosis and surgical management can result in excellent outcomes.
Related
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BibTeX
@article{darbar2026styloidogenic,
title = {{Styloidogenic Jugular Venous Compression Syndrome: A Rare Vascular Variant of Eagle Syndrome.}},
author = {Aneela Darbar and Kartic Rajaram and Georgios Kapsas and Hisham Abubacker Musthafa and Nouran Sherif Abdellatif and Mahima Gajanan Kamath and Sneha Celine Jossie},
journal = {Neurosurgery practice},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1227/neuprac.0000000000000293},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42910382},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Styloidogenic Jugular Venous Compression Syndrome: A Rare Vascular Variant of Eagle Syndrome.
AU - Aneela Darbar
AU - Kartic Rajaram
AU - Georgios Kapsas
AU - Hisham Abubacker Musthafa
AU - Nouran Sherif Abdellatif
AU - Mahima Gajanan Kamath
AU - Sneha Celine Jossie
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/23
JO - Neurosurgery practice
DO - 10.1227/neuprac.0000000000000293
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42910382
AB - Background and importance Styloidogenic jugular venous compression syndrome, a recently recognized vascular variant of Eagle syndrome, a rare condition caused by the elongation of the styloid process or calcification of the stylohyoid ligament, occurs when the internal jugular vein is compressed between the styloid process and C1 transverse process, leading to a spectrum of neurovascular and cervicofacial symptoms.Clinical presentation A 46-year-old male pilot presented with right-sided pulsatile tinnitus, vertigo, and episodic near-syncope that progressively worsened over 4 years despite multiple interventions. Computed tomography and MRI revealed an elongated right styloid process (approximately 35 mm) compressing the internal jugular vein against the C1 transverse process. The patient underwent a right-sided styloidectomy with partial resection of the C1 transverse process by a transcervical approach. The facial and spinal accessory nerves were preserved, and postoperative recovery was uneventful. By postoperative day 2, the patient reported near-complete resolution of tinnitus and pain, with sustained improvement at 1-month follow-up.Conclusion Styloidogenic jugular venous compression syndrome should be considered for patients with pulsatile tinnitus or symptoms of impaired cerebral venous outflow. Computed tomography venography is considered the diagnostic gold standard. Surgical decompression through styloidectomy with C1 resection can provide effective and durable symptom relief. Early diagnosis and surgical management can result in excellent outcomes.
SN - 2834-4383
ER -