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http://dx.doi.org/10.5624/isd.2015.45.1.67

Arrested pneumatization of the sphenoid sinus mimicking intraosseous lesions of the skull base  

Jalali, Elnaz (Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine)
Tadinada, Aditya (Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine)
Publication Information
Imaging Science in Dentistry / v.45, no.1, 2015 , pp. 67-72 More about this Journal
Abstract
Arrested pneumatization of the sphenoid sinus is a developmental variant that is not always well recognized and is often confused with other pathologies associated with the skull base. This report describes the case of a patient referred for cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging for dental implant therapy. CBCT demonstrated a well-defined incidental lesion in the left sphenoid sinus with soft tissue-like density and sclerotic borders with internal curvilinear opacifications. The differential diagnoses included intraosseous lipoma, arrested pneumatization of the sphenoid sinus, chondrosarcoma, chondroid chordoma, and ossifying fibroma. The radiographic diagnosis of arrested pneumatization was based on the location of the lesion, its well-defined nature, the presence of internal opacifications, and lack of expansion. Gray-scale CBCT imaging of the area demonstrated values similar to fatty tissue. This case highlighted the fact that benign developmental variants associated with the skull base share similar radiographic features with more serious pathological entities.
Keywords
Pneumatization; Sphenoid Sinus; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography; Skull Base;
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