Calcification of stylohyoid ligaments and its association with obesity: A cross‐sectional retrospective study

Abstract

Obesity is associated with an increase in pro‐inflammatory cytokines, which eventually lead to soft tissue dystrophic calcifications. Calcifications of the stylohyoid ligament (SHL) are incidental findings occasionally seen in head and neck radiographs, the cause of which is not yet established. In this study, we investigated the possible association between obesity and SHL calcification.Archived cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans of 136 patients were retrieved and assessed for the presence and length of calcifications of the SHLs. Patients' height and weight were retrieved from their medical records, from which body mass index (BMI) values were calculated. Later, patients were telephone‐interviewed and asked about histories of tonsillectomy and trauma to the head and neck. Chi‐square and Mann–Whitney U tests were used to assess associations between SHL calcifications and BMI values in their nominal and continuous formats, respectively.Calcification of SHLs was detected in 63 (46.3%) of the retrieved CBCT scans. BMI values ranged from 17 to 40 (mean 27.4 (SD = 4.9)), with 30% being in the healthy category. Histories of tonsillectomy and head and neck trauma were reported in 13.5% and 7.4%, respectively. SHL calcifications were associated with the female sex (p = 0.02) and normal weight (p = 0.04). No associations were seen between SHL calcifications and age, tonsillectomy or trauma.Despite being associated with dystrophic calcifications of ligaments, obesity—in our study—was not associated with SHL calcifications.