• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.347-351
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• 2020

Mastoid osteomas of the temporal bone are rare, benign, and usually asymptomatic tumors. However, depending on their size and extension, mastoid osteomas may cause facial palsy, a sensation of ear fullness, pressure-related pain, hearing loss, recurrent external ear infections, and chronic discharge. The etiology of mastoid osteomas is still unknown, but congenital, infectious, and traumatic factors have been proposed. Surgical treatment may be performed with minimal postoperative morbidity. In this article, the authors report a case of a 48-year-old woman seeking orthodontic treatment with an unusual retroauricular protruding mass, including the diagnostic process and differential diagnosis. This case supports the essential role of cone-beam computed tomography to analyze and identify the lesion as a mastoid osteoma.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.195-201
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• 2021

Unusual radiographic findings of intraosseous ameloblastoma have been reported and discussed. In the case discussed herein, cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) clearly showed many radiographic features that were ambiguous on conventional radiographs, including an ill-defined periphery, extensive superficial buccal extension with minimal lingual extension, obvious bucco-crestal expansion, and multiple triangular (Codman's triangle-like) areas of periosteal reaction. Based on the above-mentioned findings, the differential diagnosis was a long-term infected benign or low-grade malignant lesion. An incisional biopsy was performed, and the histopathologic diagnosis was acanthomatous ameloblastoma. Recurrence of the lesion was clearly detected on CBCT images at 4 and 8 years after surgery. These unusual radiographic findings have never been reported to be associated with ameloblastoma, and thus may contribute to novel concepts in radiographic interpretation in the future. This report also underscores the important role played by CBCT as a comprehensive diagnostic tool and for definite confirmation of recurrence.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.109-113
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• 2024

A 54-year-old male patient presented for a periodic check-up at the dental clinic. A panoramic radiograph showed bilateral ossification of the stylohyoid ligament with an oval radiopacity on the right side. Cone-beam computed tomography revealed a well-defined, homogenous hyperdense entity from the lower third of the ossified stylohyoid ligament on the right side. The differential diagnosis of osteoma on the stylohyoid chain includes Eagle syndrome and benign tumors of the stylohyoid chain and adjacent structures. Osteoma rarely manifests in the neck. Even more infrequent are tumors originating from the stylohyoid chain, with only a single documented case of osteoma reported in the literature in 1993. Due to the asymptomatic status, no surgical intervention was advised, and the case would be monitored periodically. This case report describes the details of an osteoma that emerged from the stylohyoid chain, marking it as the second recorded occurrence of this highly rare condition.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.105-107
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• 2024

The author herein presents an unusual case of eustachian tube calcification masquerading as loose radiopacities in the temporomandibular joints on a panoramic image, creating a diagnostic challenge. The patient, a 72-year-old woman, presented to the dental service for implant treatment to improve her masticatory function. A cone-beam computed tomography scan was performed and reviewed by a board-certified oral and maxillofacial radiologist. The scan showed no evidence of calcifications in the temporomandibular joints; however, it revealed nodular calcifications within the cartilaginous portion of the eustachian tube bilaterally. Additionally, this report briefly reviews the differential diagnosis of calcified loose bodies in the temporomandibular joint and provides information that needs to be reinforced periodically.

• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.32-37
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• 2016

Purpose: To determine the anatomical characteristic of C-shaped canal systems in Korean mandibular 2nd molars by cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). Materials and Methods: The 824 CBCT images were evaluated. These patients were taken CBCT for the diagnosis and treatment of dental implantation on 2013. The 711 mandibular 2nd molars were examined. The configuration of root canal systems were classified according to modified Melton's classifications. Results: Of the 711 mandibular 2nd molars, 21.5% had C-shaped canal systems. This prevalence did not differ with tooth position. Most of the C-shaped canals with bilateral molars were symmetrical. Of the C-shaped canal, the most common configuration Type were Melton's Type I (89%) in the orifice level and Melton's III (83.8%) in the apical level. The prevalence of C-shaped canal was higher in female (25%) than male (13.9%) (P < 0.05). Conclusion: A high prevalence of C-shaped canals were observed in Korean mandibular 2nd molars. For successful C-shaped root canal treatment, the comprehension of root canal systems was important.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.165-170
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• 2007

Purpose: To estimate the shape of root and pulp canal using a dental cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and to evaluate the accuracy of imaging reformation. Materials and Methods: CBCT images were obtained with incisors, premolars, and molars as the destination by using PSR $9000N^{TM}$ Dental CT system (Asahi Roentgen Ind. Co., Ltd, Kyoto, Japan) and i-CAT (Imaging Sciences International, Inc, USA) cone beam CT unit that have different kind of detector and field of view, and compared these with the shape and the size of actual root and root canal. Results: When the measuring value of cone beam computed tomography concerning to each root's bucco-lingual diameter and mesio-distal diameter was compared with the value of the actual root, it reveals an error range $-0.49{\sim}+0.63$ mm at PSR900N and $-0.97{\sim}+1.14$ mm at i-CAT (P>0.05). It was possible to identify and measure PSR$9000N^{TM}$ Dental CT system to the limit $0.48{\pm}0.06mm$ (P>0.05) and i-CAT CBCT to the limit $0.86{\pm}0.09mm$ (P<0.05) on estimating the size and the shape of root canal. Two kinds of CBCT images revealed the useful reproducibility to estimate the shape of root, but there was the difference to estimate the shape of root according to apparatus. The reproducibility of root shape in the image of three-dimensions at PSR 900N is low such as 0.65 mm in a case of minute root canal. Conclusions: CBCT images revealed higher accuracy of the imaging reformation for root and pulp and clinically CBCT is a useful diagnostic tool for the assessment of root and canal. However, there are different qualities of imaging reformation according to CBCT apparatus and limitation of reproducibility for minute root canals.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.171-175
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• 2014

One of the most common oral surgical procedures is the extraction of the lower third molar (LTM). Postoperative complications such as paresthesia due to inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) injury are commonly observed in cases of horizontal and vertical impaction. The present report discusses a case of a vertically impacted LTM associated with a dentigerous cyst. An intimate contact between the LTM roots and the mandibular canal was observed on a panoramic radiograph and confirmed with cone-beam computed tomographic (CBCT) cross-sectional cuts. An orthodontic miniscrew was then used to extrude the LTM prior to its surgical removal in order to avoid the risk of inferior alveolar nerve injury. CBCT imaging follow-up confirmed the success of the LTM orthodontic extrusion.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.105-109
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• 2013

Purpose: Preoperative radiographic assessment of the mandibular third molars is essential to prevent inferior alveolar nerve damage during extraction. The purpose of this study was to assess the reliability of panoramic signs of association between the roots of teeth and the canal, and to compare the panoramic signs with cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) findings. Materials and Methods: CBCT images of 132 impacted mandibular third molars were evaluated to determine the association of the root to the canal. The CBCT findings were compared with the corresponding panoramic images. Logistic regression analysis was used to define the diagnostic criteria of the panoramic images. Results: Among the panoramic signs, loss of the cortical line was the most frequent radiographic sign predicting association (sensitivity: 79.31). Contact of the tooth with the canal was observed in all cases in which the loss of cortical line of the canal or darkening of the roots was found on the panoramic radiographs. Conclusion: Darkening of the roots and loss of the cortical line on panoramic radiographs might be highly suggestive of the risk of nerve injury.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.351-361
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• 2021

Purpose: The clivus is a region in the anterior section of the occipital bone that is commonly imaged on large-volume cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). There have been several reports of incidental clivus variations and certain pathological entities that have been attributed to the variations. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of these variations within the scope of dentistry. Materials and Methods: Medical databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science) were searched using a controlled vocabulary (clival anomalies, cone-beam CT, canalis basilaris medianus, fossa navicularis magna, clival variation). The search was limited to English language, humans, and studies published in the last 25 years. The articles were exported into RefWorks^® and duplicates were removed. The remaining articles were screened and reviewed for supporting information on variations of the clivus on CBCT imaging. Results: Canalis basilaris medianus and fossa navicularis magna were the most common anomalies noted. Many of these variations were asymptomatic, with most patients unaware of the anomaly. In certain cases, associated pathologies ranged from developmental (Tornwaldt cyst), to acquired (recurrent meningitis). While no distinct pathognomonic aspects were noted, there were unique patterns of radiographic diagnosis and treatment modalities. Most patients had a normal course of follow-up. Conclusion: Interpretation of CBCT volumes is a skill every dentist must possess. When reviewing large-volume CBCT scans, the clinician should be able to distinguish pathology from normal anatomic variations within the skull base. The majority of clivus variations are asymptomatic and will remain undetected unless incidentally noted on radiographic examinations.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.329-334
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• 2012

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of incidental maxillary sinus findings in a large sample of orthodontic patients by cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) with a wide field of view and assess the relationships of such abnormalities with age and gender. Methods: Five hundred thirteen CBCT scans obtained for orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning in a Northern Italian population (N = 513; 292 female and 221 male subjects; 1,026 maxillary sinuses) were studied. The frequencies of pseudocysts and mucosal thickening of the maxillary sinus were recorded. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the influence of age and gender on these abnormalities. Results: Pseudocysts were detected in 52 patients (10.1%) and 59 sinuses (5.75%). Mucosal thickening was observed in 206 patients (40.1%) and 258 sinuses (25.1%). Gender and age were significantly associated with pseudocysts (p = 0.027) and mucosal thickening (p < 0.001), respectively. Conclusions: Half of the orthodontic patients had incidental maxillary sinus findings. Men were more likely to show pseudocysts, and older patients (aged 41 - 60 years) were more likely to show mucosal thickening.