The evidence of the rugoscopy effectiveness as a human identification method in patients submitted to rapid palatal expansion.

The objective of this study was to demonstrate the effectiveness of rugoscopy as a human identification method, even when the patient is submitted to rapid palatal expansion, which in theory would introduce doubt. With this intent, the Rugoscopic Identity was obtained for each subject using the classification formula proposed by Santos based on the intra-oral casts made before and after treatment from patients who were subjected to palatal expansion. The casts were labeled with the patients' initials and randomly arranged for studying. The palatine rugae kept the same patterns in every case studied. The technical error of the intra-evaluator measurement provided a confidence interval of 95%, making rugoscopy a reliable identification method for patients who were submitted to rapid palatal expansion, because even in the presence of intra-oral changes owing to the use of palatal expanders, the palatine rugae retained the biological and technical requirements for the human identification process.

Radiographic study of ossification of the pterygospinous and pterygoalar ligaments by the Hirtz axial technique.

The correct radiographic identification of ossification of the pterygospinous and pterygoalar ligaments plays an important role in surgical procedures for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia. Most of these procedures are performed through the foramen ovale, a site where these ligaments can be found to be partially or completely ossified. We studied the radiographic features of these ossified ligaments and their location in relation to the foramen ovale by the Hirtz axial technique. For this purpose, 93 dry skulls from the Discipline of Anatomy, São José dos Campos Dental School, UNESP, which presented partial or complete ossification of these ligaments, were radiographed. The pterygospinous ligament was detected on 27.97% of radiographs and was partially ossified in 19.36% of cases and completely ossified in 8.61%. The pterygoalar ligament was present in 62.35% of radiographs, being partially ossified in 49.44% and completely ossified in 12.91%. The pterygospinous ligaments was found to be partially and completely ossified on the same radiograph in 3.23% of cases, whereas the pterygoalar ligament appeared partially and completely ossified on the same radiograph in 6.45%. Furthermore, the pterygospinous ligament was thinner than the pterygoalar ligament and located more medially in relation to the foramen ovale. The pterygoalar ligament formed a large bone bar lateral to the foramen ovale, often obliterating the lumen of the latter. The Hirtz axial technique is an excellent tool for the observation of complete or partial ossification of the pterygospinous and pterygoalar ligaments in surgical procedures for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia performed through the foramen ovale.

Radiographic study of ossification of the pterygospinous and pterygoalar ligaments by the hirtz axial technique

The correct radiographic identification of ossification of the pterygospinous and pterygoalar ligaments plays an important role in surgical procedures for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia. Most of these procedures are performed through the foramen ovale, a site where these ligaments can be found to be partially or completely ossified. We studied the radiographic features of these ossified ligaments and their location in relation to the foramen ovale by the Hirtz axial technique. For this purpose, 93 dry skulls from the Discipline of Anatomy, Sao Jose dos Campos Dental School, UNESP, which presented partial or complete ossification of these ligaments, were radiographed. The pterygospinous ligament was detected on 27.97% of radiographs and was partially ossified in 19.36% of cases and completely ossified in 8.61%. The pterygoalar ligament was present in 62.35% of radiographs, being partially ossified in 49.44% and completely ossified in 12.91%. The pterygospinous ligaments was found to be partially and completely ossified on the same radiograph in 3.23% of cases, whereas the pterygoalar ligament appeared partially and completely ossified on the same radiograph in 6.45%. Furthermore, the pterygospinous ligament was thinner than the pterygoalar ligament and located more medially in relation to the foramen ovale. The pterygoalar ligament formed a large bone bar lateral to the foramen ovale, often obliterating the lumen of the latter. The Hirtz axial technique is an excellent tool for the observation of complete or partial ossification of the pterygospinous and pterygoalar ligaments in surgical procedures for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia performed through the foramen ovale.

A correta identificacao radiografica da ossificacao dos ligamentos pterigoespinhoso e pterigoalar e de grande importancia nos procedimentos cirurgicos no tratamento da nevralgia trigeminal. A maioria desses procedimentos e feita via forame oval, local onde podemos encontrar esses ligamentos ossificados, parcial ou totalmente. Estudamos, pela tecnica axial de Hirtz, as caracteristicas radiograficas desses ligamentos ossificados e sua localizacao em relacao ao forame oval. Para isso foram radiografados 93 cranios secos, pertencentes a Disciplina de Anatomia da Faculdade de Odontologia de Sao Jose dos Campos - UNESP, que apresentavam a ossificacao parcial ou total dos referidos ligamentos. Encontramos o ligamento pterigoespinhoso em 27,97% das radiografias, sendo parcialmente ossificado em 19,36% e totalmente em 8,61%. O ligamento pterigoalar estava presente em 62,35% das radiografias, estando parcialmente ossificado em 49,44% e totalmente em 12,91%. O ligamento pterigoespinhoso foi encontrado parcial e totalmente ossificado, numa mesma radiografia, em 3,23% dos casos, enquanto o ligamento pterigoalar apareceu parcial e totalmente ossificado, na mesma radiografia, em 6,45% dos casos. Observamos ainda que o ligamento pterigoespinhoso era menos espesso, em relacao ao ligamento pterigoalar, e localizado mais para medial, em relacao ao forame oval, enquanto que o ligamento pterigoalar formava uma larga barra ossea lateralmente ao forame oval, obliterando muitas vezes o lumen do mesmo. A tecnica axial de Hirtz e um excelente meio para a observacao da ossificacao total ou parcial destes ligamentos, quando de procedimentos cirurgicos que utilizam o forame oval para o tratamento da nevralgia trigeminal.

Assessment of manipulation accuracy of digitized occlusal radiographic images--sub and over exposure.

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether digitized images obtained from occlusal radiographs taken with low or over dose of radiation could be improved with the aid of computer software for digital treatment. Thirteen occlusal radiographs of a dry skull were taken employing 13 different exposure times. The radiographs were digitized and then manipulated with the program for image editing. 143 evaluations were performed by specialists in dental radiology who classified radiographs as appropriate or not appropriate for interpretation. Test Z was used for statistical analysis of the data and the results showed that it is possible to manipulate digitized radiographic images taken with 75% of the ideal exposure time and to make them suitable for interpretation and diagnosis. Conversely, it was concluded that the over exposed images, 57.50% above the standard exposure time, were inadequate.

Assessment of manipulation accuracy of digitized occlusal radiographic images - sub and over exposure

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether digitized images obtained from occlusal radiographs taken with low or over dose of radiation could be improved with the aid of computer software for digital treatment. Thirteen occlusal radiographs of a dry skull were taken employing 13 different exposure times. The radiographs were digitized and then manipulated with the program for image editing. 143 evaluations were performed by specialists in dental radiology who classified radiographs as appropriate or not appropriate for interpretation. Test Z was used for statistical analysis of the data and the results showed that it is possible to manipulate digitized radiographic images taken with 75% of the ideal exposure time and to make them suitable for interpretation and diagnosis. Conversely, it was concluded that the over exposed images, 57.50% above the standard exposure time, were inadequate.

O objetivo do presente estudo foi verificar a possibilidade de se manipular imagens radiograficas digitalizadas sub e superexpostas e fazer com que as mesmas apresentem boa qualidade para interpretacao e elaboracao do diagnostico radiografico. Foram feitas 13 radiografias intrabucais oclusais totais da maxila em um cranio seco submetido a 13 diferentes tempos de exposicao. As radiografias foram digitalizadas e posteriormente manipuladas em programa de edicao de imagens. Foram realizadas 143 avaliacoes por especialistas em radiologia odontologica que classificaram as imagens em adequadas ou nao para interpretacao. Os resultados mostraram que as imagens sub-expostas quando manipuladas foram consideradas adequadas para interpretacao e elaboracao de diagnostico, o que nao ocorreu com as imagens super-expostas. Sendo assim, concluiu-se que e possivel manipular imagens radiograficas digitalizadas com 75% de reducao do tempo de exposicao ideal e fazer com que as mesmas apresentem qualidade adequada para interpretacao. No entanto, concluiu-se que imagens superexpostas a partir de 57,50% acima do tempo de exposicao padrao ficaram inadequadas para interpretacao e elaboracao do diagnostico.

Cleidocranial dysplasia: importance of radiographic images in diagnosis of the condition.

Cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD) is a rare syndrome usually caused by an autosomal dominant gene, although 40% of cases of CCD appear spontaneously with no apparent genetic cause. This condition is characterized by several cranial malformations and underdevelopment, absence of the clavicles, and multiple supernumerary and impacted permanent teeth. The diagnosis of this condition is usually based on the presence of the main features (supernumerary teeth, partial or total absence of one or both the clavicles, and bony malformations) and on clinical and familial evidence. The bony and dental features of CCD may be visualized on radiographic images of the face and skull. Here, we present a familial case of CCD and discuss the importance of dental radiographs in diagnosis of the condition.