Triticeous Cartilage CT Imaging Characteristics, Prevalence, Extent, and Distribution of Ossification.

OBJECTIVE: The triticeous cartilage is a small ovoid cartilaginous structure variably present as a component of the laryngeal skeleton. This structure has received scant attention in the literature and has yet to be described adequately on cross-sectional imaging. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective study in a tertiary medical center. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We investigated triticeous cartilage prevalence in a large population utilizing computed tomography images. The cases of all patients with computed tomography angiography images of the neck from October 1, 2013, to September 31, 2014, were examined. A total of 663 patients were included in this study (age: range, 18-97 years; mean ± SD, 65 ± 15 years), 58.4% men and 41.6% women. The presence of a triticeal cartilage and its site, number, and degree of ossification were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 53.1% of patients had at least 1 triticeous cartilage (352 of 663). Prevalence was 57.4% (222 of 387) among men and 47.1% (130 of 276) among women. The presence of bilateral triticeous cartilages was more common than unilateral (63.1%, 222 of 352). A minority of patients (4.5%, 16 of 352) had a cartilaginous triticeous with no appreciable ossification, and more than half (54.0%, 190 of 352) had mild triticeal ossification. Moderate ossification was found in 34.9% of patients (123 of 352) and marked ossification in 6.5% (23 of 352). CONCLUSION: The presence of a triticeous cartilage is common and of variable appearance. As the clinical and surgical significance of this anatomic structure may be misinterpreted, it is important for imaging interpreters to be familiar with this seldom-recognized anatomic structure and recognize its variable appearance on cross-sectional imaging to avoid a misdiagnosis.

Radiologic evaluation of lacrimal and orbital disease.

This article discusses the evaluation of specific lacrimal disorders and orbital trauma using CT, MRI, and other radiologic techniques.

Helical computed tomographic dacryocystography with three-dimensional reconstruction: a new view of the lacrimal drainage system.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the utility of a new diagnostic radiologic technique for anatomic evaluation of the lacrimal outflow system in patients with epiphora and to delineate anatomic variations in the lacrimal systems of patients with both patent and obstructed systems. METHODS: This study retrospectively reviewed clinical and radiologic data in a series of 30 patients with epiphora who underwent our radiologic protocol. Imaging included fluoroscopic dacryocystography followed by helical CT dacryocystography after injection of lacrimal system contrast. Axial CT data was three-dimensionally reconstructed and rotated for viewing of images in multiple projections. Mean axial cross-sectional areas of the lacrimal sac and duct were determined. RESULTS: Sixty lacrimal systems in 30 patients were clinically and radiologically evaluated. The average mean cross-sectional area of the lacrimal sac and duct in the setting of complete obstruction was 0.153 cm2 and was statistically significantly larger (p=0.0286) when compared with average mean cross-sectional areas in unobstructed (0.045 cm2) and partially obstructed (0.052 cm2) lacrimal systems and were associated with lacrimal system dilation proximal to the level of obstruction. The difference in average mean cross-sectional area between patients with unobstructed and partially obstructed systems was not statistically significant. A number of lacrimal system abnormalities were noted in our series, including obstructions at various levels of the lacrimal outflow system, lacrimal sac masses, sinusitis, sarcoidosis, sinus carcinoma, and failed dacryocystorhinostomy. Twenty-three lacrimal systems were believed to be radiographically normal. Radiologic findings altered surgical treatment in 10 of 30 patients in this series. CONCLUSIONS: This relatively safe and well-tolerated radiologic technique provides detailed imaging of the lacrimal outflow system and surrounding structures. The information obtained from this technique may be helpful in clinical and surgical decision making.