Incidental findings of temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis and its variability based on age and sex

Purpose@#This study investigated the prevalence of temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJ-OA) using the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders image analysis criteria, assessed the severity of incidental osteoarthritic changes affecting the TMJ, and evaluated the correlations of sex and age with the prevalence and severity of TMJ-OA. @*Materials and Methods@#This retrospective study assessed 145 randomly selected cone-beam computed tomography scans (261 TMJs) from the authors’ institutional maxillofacial radiology archive following the application of inclusion and exclusion criteria. The criteria described by Ahmad et al. were used to determine whether each TMJ was affected by OA, and the severity of the osteoarthritic changes was scored for each joint based on the method described by Alexiou et al. The chi-square, McNemar, Bhapkar chi-square, and Stuart-Maxwell chi-square tests were applied to evaluate the significance of the relationships between variables (age and sex). @*Results@#Sixteen TMJs (6.1%) had no OA, 74 (28.6%) were indeterminate for OA, and 171 (65.5%) had OA. Flattening and sclerosis were observed in 86.6% and 12.3% of cases, respectively, while resorption was observed in 7.3% of the joints. Only 21 (8.1%) of the examined TMJs had subchondral cysts. Erosion of the articular eminence was observed in 58 (22.1%) cases, while sclerosis and resorption were found in 68 (25.9%) and 16 (6.1%) TMJs, respectively. @*Conclusion@#Female patients had a higher prevalence and severity of TMJ-OA than male patients. The prevalence and severity of TMJ-OA increased with age, with peaks in the fifth and seventh decades of life.

Evaluation of linear measurements of implant sites based on head orientation during acquisition: An ex vivo study using cone-beam computed tomography

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the effect of various head orientations during cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) image acquisition on linear measurements of potential implant sites. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six dry human skulls with a total of 28 implant sites were evaluated for seven different head orientations. The scans were acquired using a Hitachi CB-MercuRay CBCT machine. The scanned volumes were reconstructed. Horizontal and vertical measurements were made and were compared to measurements made after simulating the head position to corrected head angulations. Data was analyzed using a two-way ANOVA test. RESULTS: Statistical analysis revealed a significant interaction between the mean errors in vertical measurements with a marked difference observed at the extension head position (P<0.05). Statistical analysis failed to yield any significant interaction between the mean errors in horizontal measurements at various head positions. CONCLUSION: Head orientation could significantly affect the vertical measurements in CBCT scans. The main head position influencing the measurements is extension.

Clival lesion incidentally discovered on cone-beam computed tomography: A case report and review of the literature

An osteolytic lesion with a small central area of mineralization and sclerotic borders was discovered incidentally in the clivus on the cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) of a 27-year-old male patient. This benign appearance indicated a primary differential diagnosis of non-aggressive lesions such as fibro-osseous lesions and arrested pneumatization. Further, on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the lesion showed a homogenously low T1 signal intensity with mild internal enhancement after post-gadolinium and a heterogeneous T2 signal intensity. These signal characteristics might be attributed to the fibrous tissues, chondroid matrix, calcific material, or cystic component of the lesion; thus, chondroblastoma and chondromyxoid fibroma were added to the differential diagnosis. Although this report was limited by the lack of final diagnosis and the patient lost to follow-up, the incidental skull base finding would be important for interpreting the entire volume of CBCT by a qualified oral and maxillofacial radiologist.

Chronic osteitic rhinosinusitis as a manifestation of cystic fibrosis: A case report

A 28-year-old male patient with a history of cystic fibrosis (CF) was referred to the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine for an evaluation of a cystic lesion in the right maxilla using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). CF is an autosomal recessive disease characterized by an abnormal production of viscous mucus, affecting the mucociliary clearance. The CBCT scan revealed a large cystic lesion in the right maxilla extending from the right maxillary second molar to the midline in the region of the right central incisor with a significant buccal expansion. Further evaluation revealed complete opacification of the paranasal sinuses with medial bulging of the lateral maxillary sinus walls. The maxillary and sphenoid sinuses also appeared hypoplastic. The peculiar finding seen in this case was the presence of marked sclerosis and an increase in the thickness of the adjacent bony framework. This report aimed to describe the common sinonasal findings associated with CF and its underlying pathophysiology.