Clinicoradiologic evaluation of styloid process calcification

PURPOSE: This study was performed to investigate the prevalence, morphology, and calcification pattern of the elongated styloid process in the Mathura population and its relation to gender, age, and mandibular movements. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study analyzed digital panoramic radiographs of 2,706 adults. The elongated styloid process was classified with the radiographic appearance based on the morphology and calcification pattern. The limits of mandibular protrusion were evaluated for each subject. The data were analyzed by using a Student's t-test and chi-squared test with significance set at p=0.05. RESULTS: Bilateral elongation having an "elongated" type styloid process with a "partially mineralized" pattern was the most frequent type of styloid process. No correlation was found between styloid process type and calcification pattern on the one hand and gender on the other, although elongated styloid was more prevalent in older and male populations (p0.05). CONCLUSION: Dentists should recognize the existence of morphological variation in elongated styloid process or Eagle syndrome apparent on panoramic radiographs. We found higher prevalence of elongated styloid process in the population of the Mathura region when compared with other Indian populations. The calcification of the styloid process was more common in the older age group with no correlation to gender, mandibular movement and site. "Type I" with a "partially calcified" styloid process was observed more frequently in the population studied.

Oral hamartomas with von Recklinghausen disease

Neurofibromatosis is a genetically-inherited disorder of the nervous system that primarily affects the development and growth of neural [nerve] cell tissues and also causes cafe-au-lait spots on the skin, dysplastic abnormalities of the skin, nervous system, bones, endocrine organs and blood vessels. The two major classifications are NF-1, a generalized form, is the commonest and affects peripheral nerve tissues and NF-2, a rare central form, affects the central nervous system. An unusual finding of oral hamartomas may occur as part of NF-1 and here we presented one such rare case of oral hamartomas in a patient with Von-Recklinghausen's disease