CT Evaluation of mandibular bone resorption in patients with systemic sclerosis

ABSTRACT

In this study, 27 patients with scleroderma and 12 age matched healthy controls underwent full clinical examination, routine laboratory investigation, CT of the mandible and plain radiographs of the hands. Radiological evidence of resorption of the mandible and coronoid process was detected in 33.3% of the patients, all of them had diffuse skin involvement; while 66.6% showed normal mandibular radiographs. A significant difference was found between patients with mandibular resorption and those without as regards age, disease duration, facial skin thickness, extent of distal phalangeal resorption and severity of Raynaud's phenomenon. As regards the presence rheumatoid factor or severity of local pain and tenderness, no significant difference was found between patients with mandibular resorption and those without