Prevalence of Articular Eminence Pneumatization in Panoramic Radiographs: A Cross-sectional study in an Iranian Population

Abstract

Background: Articular eminence pneumatization is an anatomical variation in the temporal bone that can predispose the patient for pathologic changes and is also considered as a prognostic factor for middle ear infection. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of articular eminence pneumatization in panoramic radiographs. Methods and Materials: In this cross-sectional study, the panoramic radiographs of patients were retrieved from the archives of a private oral and maxillofacial radiology center in Babol, Iran. The articular eminence and temporomandibular joint were examined in each radiograph. The pattern of articular eminence pneumatization was evaluated in terms of age, gender, laterality (unilateral, bilateral) and lacunarity (unilacunar, multilacunar). Data were analyzed using SPSS software and Chi-square test. The significance level was set at P-value=0.05.Results: A total of 5000 radiographs were evaluated. Patients had a mean age of 15.36±34 years and an age range of 5-60 years. Articular eminence pneumatization was observed in 47 (0.9%) individuals. The prevalence of articular eminence pneumatization was 0.9% and 1% in male and female patients, respectively (P=0.68). Unilateral pneumatization was more frequent than bilateral pneumatization. The prevalence of Articular eminence pneumatization was significantly correlated to patient’s age (P<0.001). The highest prevalence was observed in the 15 to 30-year-old age group.Conclusion: When surgical intervention is required in the temporomandibular joint area, the possible presence of air cells should be taken in to consideration in order to avoid any unwanted penetration into the surrounding tissues.

Keywords

•  keywords: articular eminence
• pneumatization
• temporomandibular joint