An Uncommon Presentation of Eagle Syndrome in a Primary Care Patient with Chronic Neck Pain: A Case Report and Literature Review

BACKGROUND Eagle syndrome is an uncommon medical illness that can manifest as neck pain in primary care. It results from an abnormally unilateral or bilateral long styloid process that may compress and affect adjacent structures, which leads to the symptoms. Classical Eagle syndrome has been commonly reported, but this case highlights the uncommon involvement of autonomic nerve dysfunction. CASE REPORT This case report details a 43-year-old woman with chronic neck pain for 5 years who saw numerous medical professionals and underwent 8 physiotherapy sessions. Marginal improvement of her neck pain and recent development of imbalance and a floating sensation prompted escalation of radiological imaging that eventually led to the diagnosis of Eagle syndrome. She was subsequently subjected to tonsillectomy and styloidectomy to address the sources of her neck pain. CONCLUSIONS Neck pain is a common complaint in primary care, but Eagle syndrome is often overlooked due to its complex symptoms, which mimic other conditions resulting in missed diagnoses and prolonged diagnostic evaluations. To improve patient care and outcomes, primary care physicians should consider Eagle syndrome when evaluating neck pain. This involves taking a detailed clinical history, conducting a thorough physical examination, using appropriate imaging techniques, and knowing the treatment options. By considering this potential diagnosis, primary care physicians, other healthcare professionals, and physical therapists play an important role in referring these patients to an otorhinolaryngologist or a maxillofacial surgeon for a comprehensive evaluation and management.