ABSTRACT
Statement of the Problem: It is crucial for clinicians to be certain about the location of mandibular canal and determine any anatomical variants relevant to it. The temporal crest canal [TCC] is a rare anatomical variant of mandibular canal that lack of awareness about its presence can complicate surgical procedures
Purpose: This study investigated the anatomical characteristics and prevalence of the TCC using CBCT
Materials and Method: This descriptive cross-section study evaluated 327 CBCTs [654 sides] from all the patients with various problems. TCC on sagittal and axial plans were identified and then classified into two types based on their configuration. The prevalence of TCC was calculated amongst men and women
Results: Six TCC [0.91%] were observed in 654 sides. We observed all 6 TCCs in females. One case [0.30%] was bilateral TCC, and the remaining four [1.22%] cases were unilateral TCC [two on the left and two on the right side]. Considering the classification of TCC, five sides had presentation of type I and one case was type II based on Kawai et al. study
Conclusion: Three-dimensional images of CBCT data are useful in confirming the presence of TCC. TCC is considered as a clinically significant structure; therefore, this variation should be carefully investigated using reconstructed CBCT images
ABSTRACT
Statement of the Problem: Cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis are major health dilemmas. Osteoporotic patients frequently display vascular calcification that consequently increases the cardiovascular morbidity and mortality
Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the relation of osteoporosis, vascular calcification [atheroma, intima-media thickness [IMT]] and elongated styloid process [ESP] in a sample of osteoporotic and normal female individuals
Materials and Method: This study recruited 78 women who were assessed for bone mass density [BMD]. Sample included individuals with normal BMD [n=13, 17%], osteopenia [n=36, 46%], and osteoporosis [n=29, 37%]. The presence of atheroma and IMT was examined using color Doppler ultrasonography [CD-US]. In addition, digital panoramic radiographs [PRs] were obtained to assess ESP
Results: In this study, 55 subjects [70%] with low BMD exhibited at least one side ESP. Femoral BMD decreased significantly in subjects with ESP [p= 0.03]. Bilateral ESP was correlated with the presence of atheroma [p= 0.029]. The CIMT was greater in patients with ESP, although the relation was not significant
Conclusion: The obtained data suggest referring the aged individuals with ESP for BMD assessment and individuals with low bone mass and ESP for more cardiovascular risk assessment