The role of ultrasound imaging of temporomandibular joint condyle-disc complex disorders.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the diagnostic value of ultrasonography (US) in internal derangements of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and to compare its efficacy with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). METHODS: Fifty patients with MRI indications due to a TMJ disorder were enrolled. Findings of the clinical examination, US examination and MRI examination were noted by seperate clinicians and the sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracies of all examinations were compared. RESULTS: When compared with MRI, the sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy of the clinical examination for the internal derangements were 73%, 37%, and 70%, respectively and 75.7%, 33.3% and 73.0% for US examination, respectively. CONCLUSION: US can be considered as an alternative to MRI as it can be used to detect the disc position, internal derangements, intraarticular fluid accumulations and superficial condyle changes with minimally better results than clinical examination.

Variations and thicknesses of anterior belly of the digastric muscle: an ultrasonographic study.

PURPOSE: This study aims to evaluate the anatomy and anatomical variations of the anterior belly of the digastric muscle. METHODS: Hundred and fifty one ultrasonographic images of the digastric muscle pairs were evaluated in Near East University Faculty of Dentistry Department of Dentomaxillofacial Radiology. Morphological variations were recorded using the classification of the digastric muscle into 12 types by Kim et al. For the analysis, the Mann-Whitney U test and Chi-square test were used, and for the correlational analysis, Spearman's rho test was applied. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant in all tests. RESULTS: Seventy female and 81 male patients aged 19-60 years were evaluated. Type 1 digastric muscle was observed in 145 of 151 patients, Type 2 in 3 patients, and Type 7 in 3 patients. The thicknesses of the right and left digastric muscles were measured, and a statistically significant difference was observed between the groups when the genders were compared. It was observed that both right and left digastric muscle thicknesses were higher in males than females. There was a statistically significant positive high correlation between right and left digastric muscle thicknesses (p = 0.000; r = 0.736). No statistically significant difference was found between genders (p = 0.596) in terms of anatomical variations. CONCLUSION: Considering that the variations of the digastric muscle may have a clinical significance role, the normal anatomy and variations of this muscle should be well known by maxillofacial surgeons and radiologists.

The use of intraoral ultrasound in the evaluation of the benign lesions in pediatric patients.

Ultrasonography (US) or diagnostic sonography is a radiographic technique that uses sound waves with frequencies higher than 20 kHz to demonstrate soft tissues such as muscles, internal organs, joints, and tendons. The US has various applications in dentistry such as cervical lymph node examination, salivary gland examination, periodontal examination, maxillofacial fracture examination, temporomandibular joint examination, and orofacial swelling examination. One of the most important advantages of the US is it does not produce any ionizing radiation. Since the US does not produce any ionizing radiation, it is a favorable technique especially for the patients who are susceptible to ionizing radiation such as pregnant patients and pediatric patients. In this article, we presented benign tumor lesions that were examined with the US in children and conducted a review of the literature.

Sphenoid Sinus Volumes of Patients with Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate.

OBJECTIVE: There is only one study in the literature in which 3D evaluation of sphenoid sinus volume in patients with cleft lip and palate was used. This shows that this issue has not been adequately evaluated. The present study aimed to compare the volume of the sphenoid sinuses in patients with cleft lip and palate on cone-beam computed tomography images, and to compare them with healthy controls. The high variability of sphenoid sinus volumes poses a risk for iatrogenic lesions during surgical procedures. Because the degree of pneumatization due to increased volume increases the likelihood of exposure of vital neurovascular structures such as the internal carotid artery, maxillary nerves, and optic nerves. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: University Hospital. PATIENTS: A total of 64 patients (32 cleft palate, 32 controls) over 18 years of age who had sphenoid sinuses in the image area were included in our study. OUTCOMES: Sphenoid Sinus Volume. RESULTS: When the groups were compared in terms of total sinus volume, there was a statistically significant difference between them. Total sinus volume was significantly mean 2.806,87 mm lower in patients with cleft lip and palate compared to the healthy group (P = .015). CONCLUSION: To be aware this lower volume of the sphenoid sinus in cleft lip and palate patients will be useful for the surgical approach to sphenoid sinus. However, the literature on the subject is insufficient, more comprehensive clinical and radiological studies are needed on a larger sample.

Radiological examination of the relationship between the pterygomaxillary junction and fracture pattern.

BACKGROUND: Le Fort 1 (LF1) osteotomies are widely used to correct midface deformities. To move the maxilla freely, the ptery-gomaxillary junction (PMJ) must be separated. When performing this osteotomy, the pterygoid plate must remain intact. The objective of this study was to evaluate relationship between the anatomical features of the PMJ and fracture patterns in LF1 osteotomy. METHODS: Pre-operative and post-operative cone-beam computed tomography images of 41 patients (82 samples) who have undergone LF1 osteotomy surgery were radiologically evaluated. Morphologic measurements of the pterygomaxillary fissure area and pterygoid plate were carried out. Moreover, pterygomaxillary separation was divided into the clean-cut, maxillary sinus, and pterygoid plate fracture types. RESULTS: Statistically significant difference was observed between clean-type fracture and pterygoid plate fracture groups' thickness of the pterygoid process and thickness of the pterygomaxillary region. CONCLUSION: Anatomical variations make it difficult to separate the PMJ properly. Low thickness of PMJ increases the risk of unwanted fractures; however, according to our experience, the use of an osteotome with an incorrect angle, excessive force, and inexperienced surgeons can also cause undesirable pterygoid plate fractures.

Association of accessory sphenoidal septum with protrusions of sphenoid sinus.

PURPOSE: Accessory sphenoidal septum (ASS) is a septal variation that exists in addition to the primary septum of the sphenoid sinus and can be found in or near anatomically essential structures. This study aimed to investigate the relationships between protrusions of vital structures around the sphenoid sinus and the ASSs. METHODS: This cross-sectional retrospective study is based on the analysis of CBCT scans of 314 patients in axial, coronal, and sagittal planes with 0.2-0.3 slice thicknesses. Optic nerve (ON), internal carotid artery (ICA), both ON and ICA, maxillary nerve (MN), vidian canal (VN) and ASSs were detected, and the relationship between protrusions of these vital anatomical structures and ASS was evaluated. RESULTS: Statistically significant relationship was observed between the right Type 1 ON protrusion (p < 0.05) and left Type 1 ON protrusion (p = 0.001); left Type 3 ON protrusion (p < 0.05); right Type 4 ON protrusion (p < 0.05) and ASS. Statistically significant relationship was also observed between the right ICA protrusion and ASS (p < 0.05). The right Type 1 VN protrusion (p = 0.001); left Type 2 VN protrusion (p < 0.001); right and left Type 3 VN protrusions (p < 0.001) were found to be significantly associated with the ASS. CONCLUSIONS: ASSs have significant associations with some protrusions, and they tend to cause potentially severe complications in endoscopic sinus surgery. This variability requires a comprehensive understanding of regional sphenoid sinus anatomy with detailed three-dimensional tomographic imaging.

Multiheaded mandibular condyles.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of multiheaded condyles (MHC) in a group of Turkish subjects using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). METHODS: In this retrospective study, CBCT scans of 975 patients (546 female, 429 male; age 15-89 years, mean age 42.46 years) who were referred to Istanbul University Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Dentomaxillofacial Radiology between 2015 and 2021 were evaluated. Bifid and trifid mandibular condyle cases were analyzed according to the patients' age, gender, and laterality, and their frequencies were determined statistically. RESULTS: A multiheaded mandibular condyle (MHC) was detected in 57 of the 975 patients (546 female, 429 male). MHC was diagnosed unilaterally in 49 patients; in 8 patients, it was observed bilaterally. A bifid mandibular condyle (BMC) was detected in 54 patients. A trifid mandibular condyle (TMC) was found in 2 women, and one tetrafid mandibular condyle was seen in 1 woman. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of MHC was 5.84% in our proband, which is higher than in previous studies. There was no statistically significant difference between the prevalence of MHC in males or females.

A CBCT Study for Anatomic Variations of Osteomeatal complex in Patients With Cleft Lip and Palate.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the anatomy and variations of osteomeatal complex (OMC) by comparing patients with nonsyndromic cleft lip and palate (CLP) and control group. DESIGN: This case-control study was retrospectively analyzed using cone-beam computed tomography data. SETTING: Istanbul University Faculty of Dentistry Department of Dentomaxillofacial Radiology. PATIENTS: The study was conducted with 100 patients (44 females, 56 males) with CLP and 100 patients in the control group, which matched gender and age (with a maximum difference of 3 years). VARIABLES: OMC variations are grouped as follows: ethmoidal, conchal, uncinate process, and septal variations. Then, we evaluated the presence of these OMC variations and compared them between the two groups. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The McNemar's test was used to determine any significant differences between the groups for all indices at the 95% confidence level. RESULTS: The most common anatomic variation in this study was Agger nasi cell (97%) and concha bullosa (97%) in the patients with CLP, while Agger nasi cell was the most common variation (99%) in the controls. Moreover, the atelectatic uncinate process was the least observed variation in both groups (1%). The incidences of paradoxical concha (58%;42%), bifid concha (29%;11%), deviated nasal septum (92%;80%) were significantly higher in the CLP group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The statistically significant results found when comparing OMC anatomy between the two groups reveal the importance of three-dimensional evaluation before functional endoscopic sinus surgery in patients with CLP.

Use of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of temporomandibular disorders: a prospective clinical study.

OBJECTIVES: Panoramic radiographs, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are traditionally used for imaging temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and its pathologies. Besides these radiographic techniques, the recent use of ultrasonography (US) in diagnosing joint diseases has been introduced. However, there is no prospective clinical study examining the application of US in imaging of Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD) patients. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the features of the joint and surrounding structures in the US in TMD patients. METHODS: 320 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria, and 100 of these individuals accepted to participate in the study. This study evaluated 200 TMJ; including the right TMJ and left TMJ of 100 patients. The study was designed as a clinical single-blind observational device trial. RESULTS: It has been seen that women are 3.54 times more likely to have muscle pain than men. It has been determined that the probability of joint pain increased as the joint space with the mouth closed increased. It has been seen that women are 3.61 times more likely to experience headaches than men. CONCLUSIONS: The US, which is becoming increasingly common in dentistry, can be used as an aid in TMD diagnoses. US will not be sufficient when it is desired to evaluate the TMJ joint area more precisely and clearly in patients who will be planned for advanced surgical intervention. Therefore, it may be necessary to refer for MRI. The values of our findings will be a reference in TMD diagnoses. GOV ID: NCT04452110.

Prevalence, classification and dental treatment requirements of dens invaginatus by cone-beam computed tomography.

Background: This study aimed the evaluation of the prevalence, characteristics, types of dens invaginatus (DI) and co-observed dental anomalies to understand dental treatment requirements in anterior teeth that are susceptible to developmental anomalies by using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Methods: In this retrospective study, the anterior teeth of 958 patients were evaluated by using CBCT for the presence of DI. The demographic features, types of DI and treatment requirements were also recorded. The association between sex and the presence of DI was evaluated using chi-squared test. Results: Seventy-three DI anomalies were detected in the anterior teeth of 49 patients (18 females, 31 males). The frequency of DI was 5.11% and the most frequently involved teeth were lateral (57.53%). Forty-six teeth were classified as Type I (63.01%), 24 as Type II (32.87%), and three as Type III (4.10%). Apical pathosis was found to be 20.54% in all DIs detected and accounted for all Type III and one-third of Type II. Conclusions: CBCT imaging can be effective in the detection of dental anomalies such as DI and planning for root canal therapy and surgical treatments. Prophylactic interventions might be possible to prevent apical pathosis with the data obtained from CBCT images.

Bullous Pemphigoid Associated with Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 Inhibitors for the Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes: A Multicenter Study in Istanbul.

Objectives: Recent studies have revealed an association between dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors (DPP4i) and development of bullous pemphigoid (BP). The main aim of our study is to evaluate the association between DPP4i treatment and BP development. The secondary endpoints were to evaluate clinical characteristics and biochemical parameters of the DPP4i associated BP cases and determine the differences of DPP4i associated BP disease than non-DPP4i associated BP cases. Methods: We designed a retrospective case-control study, comparing type 2 diabetic 58 BP cases to 75 type 2 diabetic controls. Data were collected from three dermatological departments in Istanbul/Turkey, from November 1, 2008, to January 1, 2019. Medical records of each patient's demographic, clinical characteristics, drugs used, and laboratory data were reviewed. Results: There was no statistical difference in age and gender between the patient and control group. The most common prescribed oral antidiabetic for both groups was metformin. The most commonly prescribed DPP4i was vildagliptin. Fourteen (24.1%) out of 58 diabetic patients with BP were using vildagliptin, 12 (20.7%) out of 58 diabetic BP patients were using linagliptin, 6 (10.3%) out of 58 diabetic BP patients were using sitagliptin, and 1 (1.7%) out of 58 diabetic BP patients were using saxagliptin. There was no significant difference between the two groups regarding the DPP4 is use (using DPPi at the time of diagnosis and not). Both groups had similar clinical characteristics, localizations, disease severity, comorbidities, treatment responses, and biochemical parameters. BP patients using DPP4i had statistically less mucosal involvement than BP patients not using DPP4i (p=0.044). Conclusion: Even though there was no difference between two groups, when BP develops in diabetic patients, DPP4 is should be questioned and with cooperation with clinician's consideration of change may be planned.

Physiologic intracranial calcifications incidentally detected on cone beam computed tomography.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to determine the incidence of physiologic intracranial calcifications on cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and to contribute to the differentiation between physiologic and pathologic intracranial calcifications by sharing their characteristic appearances, with the largest number of patients in the literature and many different types of physiologic calcifications. STUDY DESIGN: CBCT images of 996 patients admitted to the clinic between 2018 and 2019 were scanned retrospectively. Petroclinoid (PCL) and interclinoid ligaments (ICL), pineal gland, coronoid plexus, falx cerebri, tentorium cerebelli, and other dural calcifications were evaluated in each radiograph. RESULTS: Physiologic calcification was present in 49.4% of the cases, and pineal gland calcification was the most common (47.6%) type. PCL calcification was detected in 22.1%, and it was mostly bilateral partial. There were complete ICL in 1.2%, coronoid plexus in 11.3%, falx cerebri in 6.3%, tentorium cerebelli in 1.1%, and other dural calcifications in 3.6%. Only PCL calcifications differed between sexes and were more common in males. PCL, pineal gland, and coronoid plexus calcifications were most detected in the third decade of the cases. CONCLUSIONS: Intracranial calcifications are detected incidentally in CBCT examinations. Some calcifications may indicate pathologic conditions, and patients may need to be referred for further evaluation.

Radiological evaluation of the periosteal reactions in the jaws: a retrospective CBCT study.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study is to evaluate the relationship between the radiological features of periosteal reactions (PR) and histopathological features of the lesions. METHODS: A total of 4605 CBCT images were evaluated and they were classified according to their radiological differential diagnosis. Images with pathologies were listed according to their histopathological examinations as cystic lesions, benign tumours, malignant tumours, fibro-osseous lesions and osteonecrosis, while images without pathologies were listed as traumas and others. All groups were reclassified as with or without the presence of detected PR. RESULTS: Pathologies and traumas were detected in 1801 of 4605 patients. There were 3 PR in 1140 cystic lesions, 4 PR in 102 benign tumours, 16 PR in 43 malignant tumours, 67 PR in 156 osteonecrosis/osteomyelitis cases and 3 PR in 262 trauma cases. As a result of the chi-square test between groups, there was a significant relationship between histopathologic diagnoses and periosteal reaction patterns (p = 0.000). CONCLUSIONS: Although there is a significant overlap between the patterns of PRs, PRs can be used to narrow the possibilities in the differential diagnosis. However, PRs alone are not sufficient variables for differential diagnosis in the absence of cortical bone destruction, localization, clinical and systemic findings.

The prevalence, clinical features, and related factors of dentin hypersensitivity in the Turkish population.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to identify the prevalence and predisposing and etiologic factors of dentin hypersensitivity (DH), as well as the demographic characteristics of patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The 1210 patients were examined. The research was based on a two-step investigation: questionnaire and clinical examination. DH was evaluated by the response of the patient to tactile and air-blast stimuli. Loss of attachment and gingival recession of sensitive teeth was measured on the buccal and lingual surfaces. Also, the tooth wear of sensitive teeth was graded on the buccal and lingual surfaces. Comparisons of nonnormally distributed continuous variables were performed using the Mann-Whitney U test and Kruskal-Wallis one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Dunn's post hoc test. Comparisons of categorical variables were performed using Pearson's chi-square, Fisher's exact chi-square, Yates's chi-square, and the Monte Carlo chi-square test. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-four patients reported DH, showing a prevalence for self-reported DH of 10.2%. Eight hundred forty teeth were diagnosed as having DH, giving a clinical diagnosis rate of DH of 29.4%. Females (76.8%), the 31-40 years age group (26%), housewives (36.8%), and high school education level (38%) had the highest prevalence of DH as demographic properties. A cold stimulus was the most common stimuli trigger for hypersensitivity (97.1%). Occasional pain (55.5%) showed the highest prevalence in terms of frequency of DH. A higher rate of DH was found with the use of medium brushes (47.4%) and brushing twice per day (59.4%) for 1-2 min (56.2%) with the circular method (33.8%) as oral hygiene habits. The buccal surface of the lower right central incisors (5.7%) had the highest prevalence. The most affected teeth by DH were incisors (38.4%). The buccal surfaces (86.3%) of teeth showed a higher high prevalence of DH compared with the lingual surface (52.7%), similar to gingival recession (40.9% vs. 15.7%) and loss of attachment (68.3% vs. 42.6%). CONCLUSIONS: Clinically diagnosed DH was more common than self-reported DH. Some factors related to patients such as sex (female), the 31-40 years age group, housewives, high school students, using medium brushes, brushing twice per day, and the circular brushing method were more likely to have a risk for DH. Also, buccal surfaces of teeth, gingival recession, and loss of attachment on the buccal surface of teeth should be considered as predisposing factors for DH. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: To control and prevent DH, clinicians should consider patients' demographics, predisposing factors, and etiologic factors.

Ultrasonographic evaluation of the titanium-prepared platelet-rich fibrin effect in free gingival graft procedures.

BACKGROUND: Complications after free gingival graft (FGG) operations are generally related to the donor site. The titanium-prepared, platelet-rich fibrin (T-PRF) placement in the donor site accelerate the wound healing and prevent postoperative complications such as pain and hemorrhage. We aim to evaluate the effect of T-PRF regarding vascularization and tissue thickness and to report the advantages of the ultrasonography (US) in FGG. METHODS: Ten individuals were divided into two groups as T-PRF and control. While the T-PRF membrane was placed at the donor site in the T-PRF group, a gelatin sponge was placed in the control group. All patients underwent US examination in terms of vascularization and tissue thickness of left and right donor sites. The correlation between the right and left donor sites was analyzed with the Pearson correlation test. Tissue thicknesses and pulsatility index (PI) were analyzed with independent samples t-test. The results were evaluated statistically at the P <0.05 significance level. RESULTS: The T-PRF group showed increased vascularity which can be interpreted to improve healing in soft tissue. However, not a difference, but a positively very high correlation was observed between the right and left tissue thicknesses (P = 0,00; r = +0902). CONCLUSIONS: Evaluation of tissue thickness and vascularization density of donor sites with US not only increases clinical success rate but also reduces the risk of complications during surgery and postoperative pain in FGG. Studies evaluating T-PRF membrane as palatal dressing after FGG are only clinical, however, the efficiency of T-PRF was evaluated radiologically in this study for the first time.

Osteolipoma: a review of the literature and a rare case report.

OBJECTIVES: Lipomas are the most common benign mesenchymal tumors of soft tissue. According to previous studies, 1-4% of the cases has been observed in the oral cavity. A histological variant of lipoma featuring bone formation is called osteolipoma and has been very rarely observed (less than 1% of the total). In order to make a meaningful addition to this rare knowledge base, our study aims to provide a literature review and to report an additional case of osteolipoma. METHODS: An electronic search in the PubMed database with the keyword "osteolipoma" was conducted. Among 69 search results, only the cases of osteolipoma located in the "oral cavity" were included in this study. The findings of the previously reported 20 cases (in English) of osteolipoma of the oral cavity were organized in a table along with a new case of osteolipoma located in the mandibular buccal vestibule with radiological and histopathological findings provided by the authors. RESULTS: Osteolipoma affects both sexes and usually emerges in middle-aged or elderly patients with a long history of slow progression. Different imaging techniques may be utilized in the radiographic evaluation. CONCLUSION: Differential diagnosis includes a wide range of lesions; therefore, the clinical and radiographic evaluation should be confirmed by histopathological examination. The suggested treatment is complete surgical excision and follow-up, and the prognosis is generally good.

An Alternative Classification Scheme for Accessory Mental Foramen.

BACKGROUND: The mental foramen (MF) is an important anatomical landmark on the mandible. MFs may occur singly or with extra foramina (accessory mental foramen (AMF)). OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to discuss the importance of recognition and classification of AMFs. METHODS: This study assessed CBCT images of 593 patients (208 male, 385 female) and proposed an AMF classification scheme based on three different characteristics: (1) location of the AMF with respect to the MF; (2) relationship of AMFs with tooth apices; and (3) origin of the AMF. The chi-squared test was used to compare the qualitative data as well as descriptive statistical methods when the study data were evaluated. Significance was assessed at the p < 0.05 level. RESULTS: A total of 80 AMFs were found in 71 patients. Six cases involved bilateral AMFs, whereas three cases showed double AMFs. The most common AMF location was the region posterior of the MF. Notably, all the AMFs detected in line with the mesial half of the first molar were present in female patients. Based on AMF origins, 44.5%, 48.6%, and 6.7% of the AMFs were categorized as type I, type II, and a new category identified in this study, type III. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that some foramina locations were not considered in the previous classification. Recognition and identification of these foramina might be critical to prevent possible complications. The proposed classification scheme may facilitate this objective and can be a new focus for future studies.

Cone-beam computed tomography evaluation of impacted and transmigrated mandibular canines: a retrospective study.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to evaluate CBCT images of impacted mandibular canines in detail and to discuss implications for diagnosis and treatment. METHODS: CBCT images of dental patients applied between December 2015 and December 2017 were evaluated retrospectively. 2591 CBCT images, including mandible in their field of view, were determined and evaluated regarding the presence of mandibular canine impaction. 66 impacted mandibular canines of 58 patients were analyzed in detail regarding their location, morphology, associated pathologies, and their relationship with the neighboring anatomic structures, the role of these factors on transmigration, as well as treatments applied. The Pearson Chi square test was used between the groups. RESULTS: Transmigration was observed in 53% of impacted mandibular canines. Teeth with transmigration were localized horizontally, below the apex of adjacent teeth frequently, and had no contact with mandibular cortical bone mostly. 62% of mandibular canines were in contact/proximity with the incisive mandibular canal. The most applied treatment for transmigrated teeth was surgical removal, followed by radiographic monitoring, but orthodontic traction was not preferred in any case. For non-transmigrated teeth, the most applied treatment options were surgical removal, orthodontic traction, and radiographic monitoring, respectively. Autotransplantation was not preferred in any case of impacted teeth. Vertical position of the crown tip (p < 0.05) and the presence of deciduous mandibular canines and their resorption showed significant relation to transmigration (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Transmigration is common among impacted mandibular canines. Resorption of adjacent teeth roots was one of the possible complications of impaction and likely contact/proximity of incisive mandibular canal with impacted mandibular canines, which may pose difficulties in surgical treatment, can be better detected by CBCT.