Positional Features of the Mandibular Condyle in Patients with Facial Asymmetry.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the position of the mandibular condyle, the size of the joint spaces and the condylar angulation in patients with facial asymmetry (FA), and to classify these results according to the type of FA and compare them with a reference group without FA. Materials and Methods/Patients: An observational, cross-sectional, descriptive study using computed tomography (CT) was conducted on a sample of 133 patients with a clinical diagnosis of FA derived from the following entities: hemimandibular elongation (HE) (n = 61), hemimandibular hyperplasia (HH) (n = 11), condylar hyperplasia in its hybrid form (HF) (n = 19), asymmetric mandibular prognathism (AMP) (n = 25), glenoid fossa asymmetry (GFA) (n = 9) and functional laterognathism (FL) (n = 8). Likewise, a group of 20 patients without clinical or tomographic characteristics of FA was taken and their complete cone beam tomography (CBCT) scans were analyzed. The quantified variables were joint spaces (anterior, middle and posterior), angle of the condylar axis and condylar position. All measurements were performed using the free, open-source Horos software. RESULTS: Most of the subjects without FA had a right middle condylar position (55%), while in the patients with FA the anterior condylar position predominated. On the left side, the most frequent condylar position was anterior, including the group without FA, except in the HH group. Considering the measurements of the anterior, middle and posterior joint space (mm) on the right side (anterior JS: 1.9 mm, middle JS: 2 mm and posterior JS: 2.8 mm) and on the left side (anterior JS: 2.7 mm, middle JS: 2.1 mm and posterior JS: 2.6 mm) of the subjects without FA, compared to those with FA, the latter presented smaller distances in all diagnoses and only for the right posterior JS (1.9 mm) in HH, was not significant. The condylar axis of the AF group showed significant differences with smaller angles for the left side in those diagnosed with HE (65.4°) and HH (56.5°) compared to those without AF (70.4°). CONCLUSIONS: The condylar position of patients with FA tends to be anterior, both on the right and left sides, while for cases without FA it is middle and anterior, respectively. Patients with FA have smaller joint spaces (mm) compared to patients without FA, with the exception of HH for the right posterior JS.

SPECT/CT Correlation in the Diagnosis of Unilateral Condilar Hyperplasia.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the correlation between metabolic bone activity measured by single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and the anatomic condylar characteristics acquired by computed tomography (CT), in patients with unilateral condylar hyperplasia (UCH). Method and Materials/Patients: Observational, descriptive study in a group of 71 patients with clinical diagnosis of UCH and indication of SPECT/CT. Bone SPECT images obtained in a gamma-camera GE Infina and processed in a station Xeleris 3 with the program Volumetrix MI Evolution for bone. CT images acquired in a PET/CT Biograph mcT20 equipment (Siemens) processed in a station Osirix V 7.5.1 (Pixmeo, Bomex, Switzerland). RESULTS: The sample included 24 men (33.8%) and 47 women (66.2%). Active state UCH was detected in 40 (56.3%) cases (over 55% uptake in the affected condyle) and 38 (53.5%) presented mandibular deviation to the right side. No significant differences related to sex, age, or mandibular deviation side were found. Mandibular deviation was the only morphologic feature related to active/inactive UCH (p = 0.003). The likelihood of active CH was significantly higher in patients with mandibular deviation higher than 6 mm compared with <6 mm (odds ratio (OR): 3.51, confidence interval (CI) 95%: 1.27-9.72). CONCLUSION: There is a significant correlation between the magnitude of mandibular deviation quantified on CT and metabolic findings obtained by SPECT in patients with UCH. The risk of active UCH is 3.5 times higher in patients with a mandibular deviation ≥6 mm.

Reference values of mandibular condyles metabolic activity: A study using 99m Tc-MDP single-photon emission computed tomography.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the condylar bone metabolic activity in patients with temporomandibular joint health by measuring 99m Tc-MDP uptake using a single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to establish reference values of the uptake difference between condyles and the ratio with respect to the clivus. SETTING AND SAMPLE POPULATION: Eighty consecutive patients of both sexes who were admitted to a Nuclear Medicine Centre between 2017 and 2019 were included in the study. METHOD: This was an observational cross-sectional study in patients with SPECT indications to evaluate pathologies other than those of the temporomandibular joint. The values of the total and normalized counts in a fixed region of interest of five trans-axial slides were obtained to assess the percentage difference between the sides and the uptake ratio. The reference values are expressed as median and 5th and 95th percentiles. RESULTS: The sample included 53 women (66.25%) and 27 men (33.75%) aged 15-55 years. The percentage of uptake difference between condyles was 5.04% (0.46-14.78) for men and 5.17% (0.27-13.21) for women (difference not significant, P = .9). The uptake difference was below 10% in 85% of the subjects (n = 68). The ratio values for total counts in women (0.87, 0.46-1.33) were significantly different (P = .0030) from those in men (1.08, 0.61-2.09). No significant correlation with age was found. CONCLUSIONS: These new reference ranges are applicable to the diagnosis of unilateral and bilateral condylar hyperplasia.

Mandibular and temporomandibular morphologic characteristics of patients with suspected unilateral condylar hyperplasia: a CT study.

INTRODUCTION: Facial asymmetry associated with unilateral condylar hyperplasia (UCH) is a complicated clinical condition. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to describe morphological characteristics of the mandible and the temporomandibular joint in patients with facial asymmetry, using computed tomography and 3D reconstruction. METHODS: A retrospective observational study was performed with patients displaying facial asymmetry evaluated by single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)/CT analysis, for suspected UCH, between 2015 and 2018. The following variables were compared between the affected side (producing the asymmetry) and the contralateral side (side to where the jaw is deflected): condylar length, condylar medial and lateral pole length, mandibular ramus length, intra-articular spaces, articular eminence height and position of the posterior wall of the glenoid fossa. RESULTS: Forty-three patients (21 women, mean age: 20.7 ± 7.25 years) with facial asymmetry were included, 19 patients presented right side deviation and 24 patients had left side deviation. Condylar length, lateral pole length, the sum of maximum values and articular eminence height were greater in the affected side (p< 0.05). A positive correlation was found between the position of the posterior wall of the glenoid fossa and the articular eminence height in the affected side (r = 0.442). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with suspected UCH, evaluated through CT, craniofacial measurements showed significantly larger condylar length and the condylar sum of maximum values in the affected side. A positive correlation was found between the increased dimensions of the articular eminence and the more posterior position of the glenoid fossa in the affected side.

Mandibular and temporomandibular morphologic characteristics of patients with suspected unilateral condylar hyperplasia: a CT study

ABSTRACT Introduction: Facial asymmetry associated with unilateral condylar hyperplasia (UCH) is a complicated clinical condition. Objective: The objective of this study was to describe morphological characteristics of the mandible and the temporomandibular joint in patients with facial asymmetry, using computed tomography and 3D reconstruction. Methods: A retrospective observational study was performed with patients displaying facial asymmetry evaluated by single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)/CT analysis, for suspected UCH, between 2015 and 2018. The following variables were compared between the affected side (producing the asymmetry) and the contralateral side (side to where the jaw is deflected): condylar length, condylar medial and lateral pole length, mandibular ramus length, intra-articular spaces, articular eminence height and position of the posterior wall of the glenoid fossa. Results: Forty-three patients (21 women, mean age: 20.7 ± 7.25 years) with facial asymmetry were included, 19 patients presented right side deviation and 24 patients had left side deviation. Condylar length, lateral pole length, the sum of maximum values and articular eminence height were greater in the affected side (p< 0.05). A positive correlation was found between the position of the posterior wall of the glenoid fossa and the articular eminence height in the affected side (r = 0.442). Conclusions: In patients with suspected UCH, evaluated through CT, craniofacial measurements showed significantly larger condylar length and the condylar sum of maximum values in the affected side. A positive correlation was found between the increased dimensions of the articular eminence and the more posterior position of the glenoid fossa in the affected side.

RESUMO Introdução: A assimetria facial associada à hiperplasia condilar unilateral (HCU) é uma condição clínica complexa. Objetivo: O objetivo desse estudo foi descrever as características morfológicas da mandíbula e da articulação temporomandibular de pacientes com assimetria facial, usando tomografia computadorizada e reconstruções tridimensionais. Métodos: Esse estudo observacional retrospectivo foi realizado em pacientes com assimetria facial e suspeita de HCU, avaliados por meio da análise de tomografia computadorizada de emissão de fóton único (SPECT)/TC, entre os anos de 2015 e 2018. As seguintes variáveis foram comparadas entre o lado afetado (responsável pela assimetria) e o lado contralateral (lado para onde a arcada estava desviada): comprimento condilar, comprimento dos polos medial e lateral do côndilo, comprimento do ramo mandibular, espaços intra-articulares, altura da eminência articular e posição da parede posterior da fossa glenoide. Resultados: A amostra constituiu-se de 43 pacientes (21 mulheres, idade média: 20,7 ? 7,25 anos) com assimetria facial, da qual 19 pacientes apresentavam desvio do lado direito e 24, do lado esquerdo. O comprimento condilar, o comprimento do polo lateral, a soma dos valores máximos e a altura da eminência articular foram maiores no lado afetado (p< 0,05). Foi encontrada uma correlação positiva entre a posição da parede posterior da fossa glenoide e a altura da eminência articular no lado afetado (r = 0,442). Conclusão: Em pacientes com suspeita de HCU, avaliados por meio de TC, as medidas craniofaciais mostraram um comprimento condilar e a soma dos valores condilares máximos significativamente maiores no lado afetado. Foi encontrada uma correlação positiva entre as dimensões aumentadas da eminência articular e a posição mais posterior da fossa glenoide no lado afetado.

Are There Mandibular Morphological Differences in the Various Facial Asymmetry Etiologies? A Tomographic Three-Dimensional Reconstruction Study.

PURPOSE: Facial asymmetries (FAs) have been classified according to the mandibular morphological differences to obtain better diagnostic and treatment decisions. The purpose of the present study was to establish diagnostic differentiation among FAs using computed tomography (CT) and 3-dimensional (3D) reconstruction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional study of patients with a diagnosis of FA, who had been evaluated by CT and 3D reconstruction in the same clinical center from 2015 to 2018. The following mandibular anatomic characteristics were compared between the 2 sides (deviated side vs contralateral side) and type of FA: condylar length, mandibular ramus length and width, mandibular body length, and symphysis deviation. RESULTS: The 53 patients included 23 men and 30 women (age range, 16 to 25 years). Six categories of FA were identified: hemimandibular elongation (n = 25), hemimandibular hyperplasia (n = 2), hybrid hyperplasia (n = 3), asymmetric mandibular prognathism (n = 14), asymmetry of the glenoid fossa (n = 2), and functional laterognathism (n = 7). The condylar length and mandibular ramus width were greater in the displaced side than in the contralateral side, with differences of -2.0 ± 2.8 mm (P < .001) and -0.5 ± 1.7 mm (P = .009), respectively. The mandibular body length was greater on the contralateral side (mean difference, 2.1 ± 3.5 mm; P < .001). The symphysis deviation was 5.0 ± 3.4 mm, and those with a hybrid form presented with a greater deviation, with values greater than 10 mm, followed by those with hemimandibular elongation. CONCLUSIONS: The evaluation of the CT images and 3D reconstructions in patients with FA provided detailed information of the mandibular structure that is useful to compare the differences between sides and to classify the entities associated with FA.

Juvenile Psammomatoid Ossifying Fibroma: Findings on Bone Scan.

Juvenile psammomatoid ossifying fibroma is a rare bone-forming tumor seen in craniofacial bones, which affects mainly young patients. We report scintigraphic and SPECT/CT findings of 2 patients diagnosed with this disease. One patient presented with suspicion of fibrous dysplasia and the other with suspected malignancy in the setting of a rapidly growing mass. Both cases highlight the importance of recognizing this type of tumor in young patients with abnormal uptake in paranasal bones and sinuses within the range of potential differential diagnoses including sarcomas, fibrous dysplasia, and odontogenic tumors.

Giant urinary bladder stone: incidental finding in (99m)Tc-DTPA renography.

A 27-year-old woman presented with a history of recurrent urinary tract infections in infancy and urinary incontinence secondary to lipomyelomeningocele. At the age of 7, she underwent bladder augmentation enterocystoplasty, requiring intermittent catheterization without urinary tract infections until present. A Tc-DTPA renography was performed to evaluate renal function, in which an abnormal tracer distribution was seen in urinary bladder, and furthermore, a retrograde cystography shows a giant bladder stone.