Volumetric Analysis of the Articular Eminence Pneumatization Using Cone Beam Computed Tomography

Abstract

Objective: To assess tomographic features of mastoid cell pneumatization (MCP) using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). Materials and Methods: To evaluate 659 CBCTs (500 women and 159 men) of the Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology service of Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia Dental Clinic, between 2014 – 2015. The age group was between 7 to 79 years-old. The classification of Al Faleh and Ibrahim was also used to assess the degree of pneumatization, and the statistical analysis was performed using the chi-square test. Results: The frequency of MCP was 76.2 % (502 cases). The highest frequency was found for grade 0 and 2, the highest frequency was found in the 6th decade of life and great predominance was found for the female sex. However, no statically significant differences were found with respect to the gender. Conclusion: MCP prevalence was 76.2% and CBCT became the gold-standard that allows an adequate evaluation of this anatomical variant.

Keywords

• mastoid
• cone-beam computed tomography
• temporal bone
• anatomic variation