This systematic review and meta-analysis looked at the styloid process, a small bone in the neck, in people with internal carotid artery dissection. Researchers compared 270 patients with the condition to 377 controls to see if bone features were different.
Overall, the study found no significant difference in the distance between the styloid bone and the artery across all five studies. However, a subgroup analysis of moderate and high-quality studies showed a negative pooled effect size. This suggests a shorter distance between the bone and the artery on the same side as the tear might be associated with the condition.
The analysis did not find a significant link between the length or angulation of the styloid bone and the artery dissection. The researchers noted that the available evidence remains limited and heterogeneous. Because this is an association study, it cannot prove that the bone shape causes the artery tear. Readers should understand that these findings describe a pattern seen in some cases but do not confirm a direct cause.