Condylar jugular diverticulum: A report of 3 cases

Jugular bulb diverticulum is an irregular extension of the jugular bulb into the temporal bone that may be symptomatic or asymptomatic. The jugular bulb has rarely been reported to extend into the occipital condyle; such extension is termed a condylar jugular diverticulum and is characterized as a defect in the occipital condyle contiguous with the jugular bulb. This report details 3 cases of condylar jugular diverticulum. Extension of the jugular bulb into the ipsilateral occipital condyle was noted as an incidental finding on cone-beam computed tomographic (CBCT) images of 3 patients. All 3 patients were asymptomatic, and this finding was unrelated to the initial area of interest. CBCT use is becoming ubiquitous in dentistry, as it allows 3-dimensional evaluation, unlike conventional radiography. Proper interpretation of the entire CBCT is essential, and recognition of the indicators of condylar jugular diverticulum may prevent misdiagnosis of this rare entity.

Radiographic manifestations of Mönckeberg arteriosclerosis in the head and neck region

Mönckeberg sclerosis is a disease of unknown etiology, characterized by dystrophic calcification within the arterial tunica media of the lower extremities leading to reduced arterial compliance. Medial calcinosis does not obstruct the lumina of the arteries, and therefore does not lead to symptoms or signs of limb or organ ischemia. Mönckeberg sclerosis most commonly occurs in aged and diabetic individuals and in patients on dialysis. Mönckeberg arteriosclerosis is frequently observed in the visceral arteries, and it can occur in the head and neck region as well. This report describes a remarkable case of Mönckeberg arteriosclerosis in the head and neck region as detected on dental imaging studies. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case that has been reported in which this condition presented in the facial vasculature. The aim of this report was to define the radiographic characteristics of Mönckeberg arteriosclerosis in an effort to assist health care providers in diagnosing and managing this condition.

Radiographic features of plasma cell leukemia in the maxilla: A case report

Plasma cell leukemia (PCL) is an aggressive form of multiple myeloma where there is hematogenous spread of abnormal plasma cells into the periphery. This is opposed to multiple myeloma, where the abnormal plasma cells stay in the bone marrow. PCL is more common in males than females, and is also more common in African-Americans than Caucasians. Signs and symptoms of PCL include, but are not limited to, renal insufficiency, hypercalcemia, anemia, lytic bone lesions, thrombocytopenia, hepatomegaly, and splenomegaly. Here, we discussed a case of a 71-year-old Caucasian female recently diagnosed with primary PCL with radiographic features of this disease throughout the body, with an emphasis on the maxillofacial skeleton and relevance from a dental standpoint.