• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.103-113
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• 2019

Purpose: Anatomical variations of the external nasal wall are highly important, since they play a role in obstruction or drainage of the ostiomeatal complex and ventilation and can consequently elevate the risk of pathological sinus conditions. This study aimed to assess anatomical variations of the nasal cavity and ethmoidal sinuses and their correlations on cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study evaluated CBCT scans of 250 patients, including 107 males and 143 females, to determine the prevalence of anatomical variations of the nasal cavity and ethmoidal sinuses. All images were taken using a New Tom 3G scanner. Data were analyzed using the chi-square test, Kruskal-Wallis test, and the Mann-Whitney test. Results: The most common anatomical variations were found to be nasal septal deviation (90.4%), agger nasi air cell (53.6%), superior orbital cell(47.6%), pneumatized nasal septum(40%), and Onodi air cell(37.2%). Correlations were found between nasal septal deviation and the presence of a pneumatized nasal septum, nasal spur, and Haller cell. No significant associations were noted between the age or sex of patients and the presence of anatomical variations (P>0.05). Conclusion: Radiologists and surgeons must pay close attention to the anatomical variations of the sinonasal region in the preoperative assessment to prevent perioperative complications.

• Anatomy and Cell Biology
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.243-250
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• 2018

Because of its embryonic origin, the thyroid gland is predisposed to multiple anatomical variations and developmental anomalies. These include the pyramidal lobe, the origin of levator glandular thyroidae, the absence of the isthmus, ectopic thyroid, accessory thyroid tissues, etc. These anatomical variations are clinically significant to surgeons, anatomists, and researchers. The present study was designed to report anatomical variations and developmental anomalies of the thyroid gland in Ethiopian population. The study was conducted on 40 cadavers used for routine dissection classes. The thyroid gland was exposed and observed for any variations and developmental anomalies. The length, width, and thickness of the lobes were measured using a vernier caliper. Differences in the incidence of pyramidal lobe and absence of the isthmus between sexes were tested using a Pearson chi-square test. The mean length, width, and thickness of the right lobe were 4.24 cm, 1.8 cm, and 1.6 cm, respectively, whereas it was 4.08 cm, 1.8 cm, and 1.6 cm, respectively for that of the left lobe. The pyramidal lobe was noted in 52.5% of the cadavers. The levator glandulae thyroidae were prevalent in 40% of the cadavers. The isthmus mainly overlies the 2nd to 4th tracheal rings and was absent in 7.5% of the cadavers. Accessory thyroid tissue and double pyramidal lobes were noted in 2.5% of the cadavers. Most of the variations of the thyroid gland were seen frequently in female but it was not statically significant. Different clinically important and rare variations of the thyroid gland were found.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.109-115
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• 2022

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of clinically relevant anatomical variations of the ethmoid sinuses and their potential association with ethmoid and maxillary sinus pathologies on cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans. Additionally, potential associations with different sides and demographic factors, including age and sex, were evaluated. Materials and Methods: In total, 273 CBCT scans with complete ethmoid and maxillary sinuses were analyzed to determine the prevalence of Agger nasi cell, supraorbital ethmoid cell, Haller cell, Onodi cell, and ethmomaxillary sinus. In addition, the health or pathology of the ethmoid and maxillary sinuses was also recorded to assess correlations with the aforementioned variations. Results: The prevalence of Agger nasi cell was found to be the highest (95.6%) in this study, followed by Onodi cell (60.4%), Haller cell (29.3%), and supraorbital ethmoid cell (19.4%). Ethmomaxillary sinus was the least common finding (16.5%). Males and persons above 61 years of age had a significantly higher frequency of supraorbital ethmoid cell and Onodi cell, respectively. However, no significant relationships were noted between anatomical variations of the ethmoid sinus and pathologies of the ethmoid or maxillary sinus. Conclusion: There was a high prevalence of ethmoid sinus variations in this Southern Chinese population. The prevalence of Agger nasi cell and Onodi cell was higher than that of other anatomical variations of the ethmoid sinuses. Anatomical variations of the ethmoid sinuses were not associated with ethmoid or maxillary sinus pathologies in this patient cohort.

• Anatomy and Cell Biology
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.415-420
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• 2023

The tibial nerve is a branch of the sciatic nerve, which innervates the legs and feet. Anatomical variations of this nerve at the ankle are commonly found. The variation of the tibial nerve in its branching point and cross-sectional area (CSA) at the ankle is commonly related to clinical condition such as foot neuropathy. Knowledge of these variations can support the clinician in making appropriate clinical decisions. This review aims at providing knowledge on the anatomical variations of tibial nerve at ankle, as well as its clinical correlation. This review outlined the variation of the terminal branching point and CSA of the tibial nerve at the ankle in cadaveric and clinical studies.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.47 no.5
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• pp.435-443
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• 2020

Background The innervated radial artery superficial palmar branch (iRASP) flap was designed to provide consistent innervation by the palmar cutaneous branch of the median nerve (PCMN) to a glabrous skin flap. The iRASP flap is used to achieve coverage of diverse volar defects of digits. However, unexpected anatomical variations can affect flap survival and outcomes. Methods Cases in which patients received iRASP flaps since April 1, 2014 were retrospectively investigated by reviewing the operation notes and intraoperative photographs. The injury type, flap dimensions, arterial and neural anatomy, secondary procedures, and complications were evaluated. Results Twenty-eight cases were reviewed, and no flap failures were observed. The observed anatomical variations were the absence of a direct skin perforator, large-diameter radial artery superficial palmar branch (RASP), and the PCMN not being a single branch. Debulking procedures were performed in 16 cases (57.1%) due to flap bulkiness. Conclusions In some cases, an excessively large RASP artery was observed, even when there was no direct skin perforator from the RASP or variation in the PCMN. These findings should facilitate application of the iRASP flap, as well as any surgical procedures that involve potential damage to the PCMN in the inter-thenar crease region. Additional clinical cases will provide further clarification regarding potential anatomical variations.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.191-203
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• 2024

Persimmon wood (Diospyros kaki) is a seasonal fruit-producing plant with a beautiful dark pattern in its wood that is suitable for high-quality furniture, sculptures and musical instruments. The utilization of persimmon wood can be improved by determining its anatomical characteristics, such as juvenile and mature wood. This study aimed to determine the boundaries between juvenile and mature wood and observe the anatomical properties of juvenile and mature wood and their variations in the axial direction. Three 30-year-old persimmon (D. kaki) trees grown in Karo, North Sumatra, Indonesia, were used in this study. The boundary between juvenile and mature wood was determined by measuring the fiber length and vessel element length from near the pith to near the bark. Anatomical observations were conducted in the juvenile and mature wood areas. The results showed that the average boundaries between juvenile and mature wood were 44.11 mm from the pith and were not significantly different in the axial direction of the trees. Furthermore, the wood anatomy categories of juvenile and mature wood differed significantly in terms of fiber diameter, fiber proportion, vessel proportion, and axial parenchyma proportion. In the axial direction, vessel diameter, ray parenchyma frequency, and ray parenchyma proportion at the base, middle, and top of the tree were significantly different.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.281-290
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• 2020

Purpose: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of dental implants positioning errors and their associations with adjacent structures and anatomical variations by means of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Materials and Methods: CBCT images of 207 patients (584 dental implants) were evaluated by 2 oral radiologists. The distance between the implant and the adjacent teeth/implants was measured and classified as adequate (≥1.5 mm and ≥3 mm, respectively) or inadequate. The presence of thread exposure, cortical perforation, implant dehiscence, implant penetration into adjacent structures, and anatomical variations was also recorded. The incisor canal diameter and the depth of the concavity of the submandibular fossa were measured in order to evaluate their correlations with the frequency of implant penetration in these structures. Descriptive analyses, the Fisher exact test, and Spearman correlation analysis were performed (α=0.05). Results: The overall prevalence of positioning errors was 82.9%. The most common error was the inadequate distance between the implant and the adjacent teeth/implants. The presence of anatomical variations did not significantly influence the overall prevalence of errors (P>0.05). There was a positive correlation between the diameter of the incisor canal and the frequency of implant penetration in this structure (r=0.232, P<0.05). Conclusion: There was a high prevalence of dental implant positioning errors, and positioning errors were not associated with the presence of anatomical variations. Professionals should be aware of the space available for implant placement during the preoperative planning stage.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.61-65
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• 2015

The mental foramen is a bilateral opening in the vestibular portion of the mandible through which nerve endings, such as the mental nerve, emerge. In general, the mental foramen is located between the lower premolars. This region is a common area for the placement of dental implants. It is very important to identify anatomical variations in presurgical imaging exams since damage to neurovascular bundles may have a direct influence on treatment success. In the hemimandible, the mental foramen normally appears as a single structure, but there are some rare reports on the presence and number of anatomical variations; these variations may include accessory foramina. The present report describes the presence of accessory mental foramina in the right mandible, as detected by cone-beam computed tomography before dental implant placement.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.117-126
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• 1997

In fast grown softwood, there are very large changes in material properties going outward from the pith to bark such as anatomical, physical and mechanical characteristics. Some of variations in anatomical properties with annual ring were then examined from Pinus koraiensis, Larix leptolepis, and Chamaecyparis obtusa, which are major softwoods of plantation in Korea. The large variations of annual ring width during young age of tree tended to stabilize after 25year through the transitional period in 17~23year. The ring density was 1.5~2.4 in 1~10year period, and 3.5~6.3 in 30~35year period, in which juvenile and mature wood were certainly assumed to be formed, respectively. Variations of tracheid length showed functional relationships with annual rings as logarithm. Demarcation between juvenile wood and mature wood could be 16~19year, which was determined from increase rate of tracheid length of 0.2%. Cell wall thickness increased with increase of annual ring even though large variations were observed as well. Variations of cell wall thickness within species were pronounced in latewood than earlywood. The increase of cell wall thickness from juvenile wood to mature wood was predominant in Larix leptolepis as 2.0times, and least in Chamaecyparis obtusa as 1.1 times. Cell diameters showed trends of increase during young age of 1~15year, and consistent afterward. The variations of cell diameter between radial and tangential direction were greater in latewood, and most pronounced in Chamaecyparis obtusa.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.299-307
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• 2020

Purpose: The diagnosis of chronic rhinosinusitis requires a comprehensive knowledge of the signs and symptoms of the disease and an accurate radiographic assessment. Computed tomography (CT) is the superior imaging modality for diagnosis of chronic rhinosinusitis. However, considering the lower dose and higher resolution of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) compared to CT, this study aimed to assess the agreement between the findings of CBCT and functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS). Materials and Methods: This descriptive prospective study evaluated 49 patients with treatment-resistant chronic rhinosinusitis who were candidates for FESS. Preoperative CBCT scans were obtained before patients underwent FESS. The agreement between the CBCT findings and those of FESS was determined using the kappa correlation coefficient. The frequency of anatomical variations of the paranasal sinuses was also evaluated on CBCT scans. Results: Significant agreement existed between pathological findings on CBCT scans and those of FESS, such that the kappa correlation coefficient was 1 for mucosal thickening, 0.644 for nasal deviation, 0.750 for concha bullosa, 0.918 for nasal polyp, 0.935 for ostiomeatal complex (OMC) obstruction, and 0.552 for infundibulum thickening. Furthermore, 95.9% of patients had 1 or more and 79.6% had 2 or more anatomical variations, of which nasal deviation was the most common (67.3%). Conclusion: Considering the significant agreement between the findings of CBCT and FESS for the detection of pathological changes in the paranasal sinuses, CBCT can be used prior to FESS to detect chronic rhinosinusitis and to assess anatomical variations of the OMC.