Objective: To analyze the relationship between pharyngeal paraesthesia and abnormal styloid process, and to evaluate the surgery outcome.
Methods: One hundred and four patients with styloid process abnormality, especially those with pharyngeal paraesthesia were studied preoperatively and postoperatively.
Results: Among 104 patients who complained about foreign body sensation of the pharynx and a sore throat, after partial removal of styloid process, 71.2% (74/104) cured (symptoms disappeared), 12.5% (13/104) improved, while 16.3% (17/104) had no improvement. The responding rate was 83.7% (87/104).
Conclusions: Not all abnormality of styloid process subjects would have pharyngeal paraesthesia, so for this kind of cases a more comprehensive analysis is necessary. Surgery via mouth is preferable.