Abstract: Objective　 To explore the diagnosis of Eagle’s syndrome, the surgical treatment with the improved L-shape incision of palatoglossal arch and the effect after operation. Methods Retrospective analysis of the clinical materials of 16 patients with Eagle’s syndrome who underwent surgical treatment with L shape incision of palatoglossal arch was performed. The medical history, clinical symptoms, treatment history, radiological examination were analyzed, the surgical effects were followed up and preoperative and postoperative VAS pain scores were evaluated. Results The average length of the affected styloid process was 2.17±0.52 cm （ ±s）after surgical treatment through improved L-shape incision of palatoglossal arch. There were no local complications such as wound dehiscence, infection and bleeding after operation. Among the 16 patients, there were 14 patients whose clinical symptoms had completely disappeared and 2 patients whose symptoms had been alleviated after operation and followed up for more than 6 months. The VAS pain score after operation was 0.38±0.62（ ±s） significantly lower than that of pre-operation 3.94±0.68（ ±s） (P< 0.05). Conclusion Eagle’s syndrome can be easily misdiagnosed in clinic. Palpation of the tonsillar fossa and imageological examination can improve the diagnosis rate. The improved L-shape incision of palatoglossal arch can be employed for the patient with Eagle’s syndrome to remove the long styloid process and reserve the tonsil effectively at the same time. Also, the patients are satisfied with the post-operative effects, and no other complications are found during shot-term follow-up. This method is of some certain guidance for the clinical treatment of Eagle’s syndrome.

Key words: styloid process syndrome, styloid process, palatoglossal arch, tonsil