An unusual clinical manifestation of ossified styloid complex: Diagnosis and treatment

The stylohyoid complex (SC) connects the temporal bone to the hyoid bone and may suffer anatomical variations that are represented by an increase in length of the styloid process or ossification of the stylohyoid ligament. Reported here is a case of a 58-year-old asymptomatic patient who presented an unusual clinical manifestation on the floor of the mouth, which precluded the installation and adaptation of dental prostheses. The first diagnostic hypothesis was sialolithiasis. Panoramic radiography and cone-beam computed tomography revealed a massive ossified SC. Preprosthetic surgery was performed. The present case report highlights that the styloid complex may present unusual anatomical variations which can be clinically and radiographically detectable.