A patient reports pain when turning her head to the side, localized around the neck/throat area, with a history of throat pain. What is the MOST likely diagnosis?

Correct answer: D. Eagle syndrome

• A. Incorrect. Temporal arteritis causes temporal headaches and scalp tenderness in elderly — not neck pain with head turning.
• B. Incorrect. Cervical radiculopathy causes neck pain radiating to the arm — a less specific diagnosis in the dental board exam context for this classic presentation.
• C. Incorrect. Trigeminal neuralgia is an electric shock-like pain along CN V, triggered by light touch — not head rotation.
• D. Correct. Eagle syndrome involves elongation of the styloid process or calcification of the stylohyoid ligament, causing unilateral throat/neck/jaw pain worsened by swallowing or turning the head. Classic presentation for this condition.