Retrospective radiological analysis of cemento-osseous dysplasia.

BACKGROUND: Osseous dysplasia (OD) is a form of fibro-osseous lesion located in the jaws that may interfere with the adjacent anatomical structures. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the distribution of radiographic imaging features, the morphological characteristics and the lesion volume of OD with the use of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included radiologically diagnosed lesions followed up for at least 1 year. The prevalence and distribution of the OD types were defined in terms of age, sex, lesion location, teeth, relationship with the anatomical structures, and lesion volume. RESULTS: The mean age gradually increased from the periapical group to the florid group (p = 0.018). It was observed that the mandible was the most frequently affected bone (85.5%) (p < 0.05). The margins of the lesions were well defined, and had an irregular or circular shape. The buccal cortical bone was the most affected structure (84.5%), and the damage in the cortical bone increased with an increase in the lesion volume. With regard to teeth, the most frequent disorder was a discontinuous lamina dura (83.0%). CONCLUSIONS: Osseous dysplasia lesions affect a wide range of different anatomical areas, and show different volume and morphometric characteristics.

Assessment of the trabecular structure of mandibular condyles in patients with temporomandibular disorders using fractal analysis.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in the trabecular structure of the mandibular condyle in patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) using fractal analysis. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 100 patients ages 18 to 73 years were clinically assessed using the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders. The control group was age- and sex-matched with the patient group. Panoramic radiographs were obtained using a Kodak 8000 digital device with 73 kVp and 5 mA fixed parameters. The degree of degeneration in the mandibular condyles was calculated. Regions of interest (84 × 84 pixels) were selected within the cortical boundary of the mandibular condyle, and the fractal dimension (FD) was calculated using ImageJ version 1.48. RESULTS: Radiographic degenerative changes were more frequently present and more severe in the patient group (P < .001). The mean value of FD was 1.22 ± 0.06 in the patient group and 1.25 ± 0.06 in the control group (P = .001). A significant decrease in FD was observed (P = .001) in the left temporomandibular joints of the patient group, whereas a nonsignificant decrease in FD was observed in the right temporomandibular joints (P = .073) as degenerative changes increased. CONCLUSIONS: Lower FD values were associated with more severe degenerative changes in the patient group. The trabecular structure of condyles in patients with TMD exhibited decreased complexity when erosive and sclerotic changes were evident. As a result, fractal analysis enhanced the use of panoramic radiography in detecting degenerative changes in patients with TMD.