Retrospective evaluation of cone-beam computed tomography findings of odontogenic cysts in children and adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Odontogenic cysts develop from the epithelium of dental structures and generally grow slowly. In children and adolescents, cysts usually grow faster than adults and require much knowledge for diagnoses and treatments. AIMS: This study aimed to determine the diagnosis and treatment of odontogenic cysts in different age groups by evaluating the type of lesions, age, gender, and anatomical distribution of odontogenic cysts seen in children and adolescents by cone-beam computed tomography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 42 odontogenic cysts (radicular, dentigerous cyst, and odontogenic keratocyst) were determined in children and adolescents aged 7-18 years. Cone-beam computed tomography images of odontogenic cysts were analyzed in terms of types, age, sex, anatomical location, height, width, depth, scalloped borders, lesion shapes, tooth displacement, root resorption, and association with an unerupted tooth. RESULTS: There was a significant correlation between odontogenic cyst types and age groups, scalloped borders, lesion shape, tooth displacement, root resorption, and association with an unerupted tooth. CONCLUSION: When odontogenic cysts seen in children and adolescents are examined with cone-beam computed tomography, the radicular cyst was the most common form and was predominated in the 13-18 years age group and in boys. Differences in terms of scalloped borders, lesion shape, tooth displacement, root resorption, and association with unerupted teeth were noticed. The knowledge of the distribution and properties of odontogenic cysts in pediatric patients will help diagnose the lesions during clinical and radiological examinations and make appropriate treatment planning.

Prevalence of soft tissue calcifications in the head and neck region: A cone-beam computed tomography study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to detect the prevalence of soft tissue calcifications in the head and neck using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and to determine their clinical importance. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Soft tissue calcifications in the head and neck region were retrospectively evaluated in 1557 CBCT images obtained between 2013 and 2015. The findings were categorized as follows: tonsillolith (calcified tonsil), carotid artery calcification (CAC), sialolith (salivary stone), calcified triticeous cartilage (CTC), calcified lymph node (CLN), rhinolith, antrolith, calcification of the superior cornu of the thyroid cartilage (CSCTC), calcified stylohyoid ligaments (CSL), myositis ossifican, osteoma cutis, and intracranial calcification. A Chi-square test was performed for categorical variables. In the 1557 CBCT images, 520 (33.4%) contained had at least one soft tissue calcification in the head and neck region. RESULTS: Tonsilloliths (18.8%) were the most prevalent soft tissue calcification, followed by CTC (5.8%), CAC (4.3%), intracranial calcifications (3.9%), CSL (3.7%), CSCTC (2.1%), osteoma cutis (1%), sialoliths (0.7%), antroliths (0.5%), myositis ossificans (0.4%), rhinoliths, and CLN (0.2%). CONCLUSION: There was a high prevalence of soft tissue calcifications in the head and neck region on CBCT images. Tonsilloliths were the most common type of calcification. CBCT imaging may aid the diagnosis and assessment of these calcifications.

Juxta-apical radiolucency and relations with surrounding structures on cone-beam computed tomography.

The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of juxta-apical radiolucency (JAR) and its relations with surrounding structures using cone-beam computed tomography (CT). A total of 215 cone-beam CT images was analysed retrospectively to record the presence, site, and size of the JAR, and the relations between the JAR and the mandibular canal, buccal or lingual cortical plates, tooth position, and condition of root apex. Descriptive analyses were made, and relations between the categorical variables were tested with the chi squared test. JAR was detected in 71 (33%) (5 bilateral and 66 unilateral) of 215 patients (378 mandibular third molars) on cone-beam CT images. It was most commonly seen mesial to the tooth (43%) and above the third molars (55%), and was least common lingual to the tooth (3%) and at the distoangular third molar (3%) (p = 0.005). There was no significant relation between the JAR and the mandibular canal, but JAR was most likely to be detected superiorly to the mandibular canal (59% of cases). JAR can be seen and evaluated with cone-beam CT. It was most commonly seen mesial to the tooth and above the third molar. No significant relation was found between JAR and the mandibular canal, cortical plate, or condition of the apex. Future studies on the assessment of JAR should be done with a larger sample size as prospective cone-beam CT studies.

Assessment of the temporal crest canal using cone-beam computed tomography.

The temporal crest canal (TCC) is a rare variant of the mandibular canal, and it is important to locate the presence and site of mandibular canals and their variants before operation. We have examined the anatomical features and prevalence of TCC with cone-beam computed tomography (CT) in south-east Anatolia. The cone-beam CT images of 1023 patients (2026 sides) referred to the Department of Dentomaxillofacial Radiology between 2015 and 2017 years were evaluated retrospectively. Sagittal, cross-sectional, and reformatted panoramic images were analysed to see if a TCC was present. The canals were grouped as Type 1 and Type 2 according to their configuration. Seven (0.7%) were found in 1023 patients. Two of them (0.2%) were in female, and five (0.5%) in male, patients. Four (0.4%) were increasingly narrow and noticeably curved (Type 1), and three (0.3%) were uniformly wide and slightly curved (Type 2). All TCC were unilateral: two on the right and five on the left. We conclude that knowledge of the presence of a TCC and its anatomical variants in the mandibular ramus is important to ensure a proper local anaesthetic nerve block for surgical operations. Cone-beam CT is an important diagnostic tool in dentistry, and clearly recognises a TCC.

Oral and dental findings in Bardet-Biedl syndrome: A case report.

Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS) is a rare autosomal recessive genetic disorder. This syndrome is associated with 19 genes present, and 80% of the cases are determined as a clinical diagnosis result. A 15-year-old female presented with a complaint of gingival bleeding during brushing. As a result of received detailed history and the intraoral-extraoral examinations; retinal dystrophy, obesity, polydactyly, and renal defects of Caucasian female consistent with BBS were reported. Oral and dental findings were high-arched palate, crowding, and missing tooth. As dentists, we should know the diagnostic criteria of this syndrome. In addition, we should have a high index of suspicion so as to enhance the timely recognition of this condition. Dentists should also be familiar with the management protocol that includes a multidisciplinary approach to alleviate the existing conditions.

Anatomical evaluation of nasopalatine canal on cone beam computed tomography images.

BACKGROUND: Nasopalatine canal (NPC) (incisive canal) morphology is important for oral surgery techniques carried out on the maxilla, in the treatment of naso- palatine cyst, palatal pathologies that require a surgical intervention. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The morphology of NPC was classified in sagittal, coronal and axial planes on the cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). The length of NPC was found by measuring the distance between the mid-points of nasopalatine foramen and incisive foramen. The numbers, shapes and diameters of incisive and nasopalatine foramina were examined. Nasopalatine angle present between the NPC and the palate and anterior to the NPC was measured. RESULTS: In the sagittal plane, the shape of NPC was classified in six groups: 26.7% hourglass, 14.7% cone, 13.3% funnel, 16.0% banana, 28.7% cylindrical and 0.7% reverse-cone-shaped. In the coronal plane, shape of NPC was classified in three groups: 63.3% Y-shaped, 36.0% single canal, 0.7% double canal and external border of NPC was classified in four groups: 26.7% U, 28.7% Y, 44.0% V and 0.7% reverse-V-shaped. In the axial plane, the shape of nasopalatine foramen, incisive foramen and NPC at the mid-level was evaluated. The shape of the canal was detected as four types at three evaluated levels: round, oval, heart- and triangle-shaped. It was seen in every three axial planes that the round group is more than the others. CONCLUSIONS: The morphological properties and variations of NPC should be con- sidered with a correct radiological evaluation so as to prevent the complications and improper practices in local anaesthesia, maxillary surgery and implant surgery practices. Especially dentists, otolaryngologist and plastic surgeons need to know the anatomy and variations of NPC.

Morphometric evaluation and surgical implications of the infraorbital groove, canal and foramen on cone-beam computed tomography and a review of literature.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the anatomy, morphometry, and variations of infraorbital groove (IOG), infraorbital canal (IOC) and infraorbital foramen (IOF) on the cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images and to investigate their relations with surrounding structures. METHODS: IOG, IOC and IOF were evaluated retrospectively in CBCT images of 75 female (F) and 75 male (M) cases with a range of 18-65 years (F: 37.62 ± ± 13.55, M: 37.53 ± 15.87) by Planmeca Romexis programme. IOG, IOC and IOF were examined bilaterally (300 sides) in the cases. The 13 parameters were measured on these images in axial, sagittal and coronal planes. RESULTS: There was a very weak positive correlation between the age and the angle between IOC and IOG (p = 0.015, r = 0.198), there was a weak positive correlation between the age and skin thickness (p = 0.001, r = 0.281), and there was no correlation between the age and other parameters. A total of 21 (7%) IOCs were detected in maxillary sinus, bilaterally in 6 cases and unilaterally in 9 cases (5 on the left, 4 on the right). In 1 case, bilaterally, IOC was separated 2 canals while running anteriorly in the maxillary sinus. The larger one was directed to IOF in its normal course and the smaller one was directed to lateral wall of nasal cavity and opened to the inferior nasal meatus in front of the opening of nasolacrimal duct. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that the parameters found in the present study may facilitate prediction of the location of the infraorbital nerve. Knowledge of this exact position in relation to easily measurable parameters may decrease the risk of infraorbital nerve injury during surgical approaches directed to this region and might serve as a guide during local anaesthetic interventions for dentistry, ophthalmology, plastic surgery, rhinology, neurosurgery and dermatology.