Assessment of the stylohyoid complex with cone beam computed tomography

Retrospective study of the styloid process in a Taiwanese population using cone beam computed tomography

Background/purpose

Review of literature, evaluation of the styloid process (SP) using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) has not been performed in a Taiwanese population. Our study aimed to evaluate the different characteristics of SP using CBCT in a Taiwanese population.

Materials and methods

CBCT scans of 121 patients (55 males, 66 females; mean age, 27 ± 9.09 years) were evaluated to assess the length, morphological type, calcification pattern, and angulation of the SP. A SP length greater than or equal to 30.00 mm is considered to indicate an elongated SP (ESP). ESP was classified in terms of morphology as Type I: uninterrupted; Type II: pseudo-articulated; or Type III: segmented. The calcification pattern of SP was categorized as Type A: calcified outline; Type B: partially calcified; Type C: nodular; or Type D: completely calcified. The transverse and sagittal angles between the bilateral SP were also measured.

Results

One-hundred and nine patients had a bilateral SP and 12 patients had a unilateral SP. The mean SP length was 26.34 ± 7.44 mm. Forty-two (34.71%) patients had an ESP. The most common ESP morphology was Type 1, followed by Type II, then Type III, while the calcification pattern prevalence was of the descending order Type B, Type A, Type C, and Type D. The mean transverse and sagittal angles were 66.90 ± 5.41° and 26.67° ± 6.50°, respectively.

Conclusion

The present study was the first to evaluate the characteristics of SP in a Taiwanese population using CBCT. The data contribute a useful basis for clinical investigation of the SP in future.

Evaluation of stylohyoid complex in subjects with different types of malocclusions using cone-beam computed tomography: a retrospective study in a Turkish subpopulation

PURPOSE

According to the functional matrix theory, the development of maxillomandibular complex may be affected by the surrounding tissues. The aim of this study was to evaluate the length and angulation of the styloid process in different types of malocclusions using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).

METHODS

Angulations and length of the styloid process were evaluated in CBCT images of 97 individuals retrospectively. The patients were classified as class I, II, and III groups according to sagittal skeletal classes. The mean length, anterior angulation, and medial angulation of the styloid process were analyzed. Statistical significance was evaluated at p < 0.05.

RESULTS

The mean styloid process length in group class III was found to be significantly longer than class I (p: 0.035). Anterior angle was significantly higher in class III group than in other groups (p < 0.05). No statistically significant difference was found in medial angle between the groups (p: 0.506).

CONCLUSION

According to present findings, class III malocclusion is associated with the stylohyoid complex morphology due to longer styloid process lengths and higher anterior angle values.

Use of Digital Panoramic Radiographs in the Study of Styloid Process Elongation

This work aimed to evaluate the occurrence of suggestive images of styloid process elongation in panoramic radiographs, noting their frequency according to sex, age, and location, as well as measure and classify the types and patterns of calcification of elongated styloid processes. 2,500 panoramic radiographs were evaluated in a Radiology Clinic in Recife, PE, Brazil, performed between 2008 and 2010, with the age ranging from 25 to 80 years old. 560 of the radiographs analyzed fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Of this total, 216 (38.57%) presented suggestive images of the styloid process elongation, 45 (20.8%) belonging to male and 171 (79.2%) to female, and 84.7% were bilateral. After all measurements, mean values of 35.5 mm (left side) and 37.6 mm (right side) were obtained and these differences were statistically significant (p < 0.001). The most common type of stretching found was elongated (type I) with 73.1%, and the pattern of calcification was partially calcified (62.5%). It was found that the elongation of the styloid process is an anatomical variation, which must be taken into account by dentists, and because panoramic radiography is a technique of easy approach and low cost and routine, it can be used to aid in the diagnosis of elongated styloid process.

Calcification of the stylohyoid ligament in panoramic radiography and cone beam computed tomography among patients referred for dental implant treatment planning

BACKGROUND

Calcification of the stylohyoid ligament (SHL) is a common condition noted as an incidental finding in routine radiographic examination. Due to proximity with important neurovascular structures, elongation and calcification may sometimes lead to dysphagia and pain. The objective of this study was to evaluate the incidence of calcified SHL detected on cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans and panoramic radiographs (PR) in patients referred for dental implant therapy.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of 30 patients referred for dental implants to the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology at the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine was done. Patients were imaged using Hitachi CB MercuRay CBCT machine, and PRs were obtained using Planmeca panoramic machine. CBCT reconstructions and panoramic images were evaluated for the incidence and pattern of SHL calcification.

RESULTS

Nineteen patients (63.3%) had calcified SHLs, 16 of whom were reported to have bilateral involvement. PR was unable to show complete calcification of the ligament in any of the cases, whereas CBCT showed evidence of complete calcification when present (14 cases).

CONCLUSION

CBCT was more accurate in determining the pattern and extent of calcification of the SHL in patients undergoing implant treatment planning.

In Vitro Detection of Dental Root Fractures with Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT)

BACKGROUND

Since the diagnosis of non-displaced longitudinal fractures present difficulties for the dentist, three-dimensional evaluation is necessary.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study is to demonstrate the accuracy of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) in detecting dental root fractures in vitro.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

An in vitro model consisting of 210 recently extracted human mandibular teeth was used. Root fractures were created by mechanical force. The teeth were placed randomly in the empty dental alveoli of a dry human mandible and 15 different dental arcs were created. Images were taken with a unit Iluma ultra cone-beam CT scanner (Imtec Corporation, Germany). Three dental radiologists separately evaluated the images.

RESULTS

According to the fracture types and fracture presence, there was an overall statistically significant agreement between the key and readings. Kappa values for intra observer agreement ranged between 0.705 and 0.804 indicating that each observer gave acceptable ratings for the type and presence of fractures.

CONCLUSIONS

Detailed information about root fractures may be obtained using CBCT.