Computed tomography findings of periostitis ossificans

Periostitis ossificans (PO) is a type of chronic osteomyelitis, an inflammation of cortical and cancellous bone. In the maxillo facial region, the mandible is most frequently affected. The cause of inflammatory subperiosteal bone production in PO is spread of infection from a bacterial focus (e.g.: odontogenic disease, pulpal or periodontal infection, and extraction wounds). This pathology is most commonin younger people (mean age of 13 years). Conventional radiographs are one of the most usefultools for diagnosis, but in some cases computed tomography (CT) has a key role in both diagnosis and identification of the tissues involved. This paper reports two cases of PO in which CT help edestablishing the suspicious etiology: a 12-year-old boy with PO of pulpal origin and a 14-year-old boy with PO of periodontal origin.

Condylar and disk position and signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders in stress-free subjects.

BACKGROUND: The authors conducted a study in subjects who tested free of psychological stress to determine the position of the condyle and whether that position was related to signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). METHODS: Forty subjects underwent psychological evaluation to ensure freedom from psychological stress. The authors evaluated tenderness of the masticatory muscles and temporomandibular joints (TMJs) by means of bimanual digital palpation, and they determined the positions of the condyle and disk by using magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS: A total of 23.75 percent of the condyles were displaced away from the centric position either anteriorly (3.75 percent) or posteriorly (20.00 percent). chi(2) analysis showed a relationship between the position of the condyle and displacement of the disk, as well as a relationship between the position of the condyle and tenderness of the TMJs. CONCLUSION: Although these relationships proved significant, it cannot be assumed that displacement of the condyle away from the centric position is predictive of TMD. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Only two subjects were judged to have had TMJ internal derangement. Thus, the absence of psychological stress seems to have played a role in this finding.