Title:The Assessment of Maxillofacial Soft Tissue and Intracranial Calcifications via Cone-beam Computed Tomography
Volume: 14
Author(s): Melih Ozdede*, Aylin Kayadugun, Ozlem Ucok, Bulent Altunkaynak and Ilkay Peker
Affiliation:
- Department of Dentomaxillofacial Radiology, Faculty of Dentistry, Gazi University, Ankara,Turkey
Keywords:
Soft tissue calcification, intracranial calcification, CBCT, dentomaxillofacial, patients, pineal gland.
Abstract: Background: Cone-beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) scans obtained with larger
field of view let us see various incidental findings, anatomical variations and pathologies, like intracranial
and soft tissue calcifications.
Objective: The purpose of this retrospective study was to determine the prevalence of intracranial
and soft tissue calcifications via CBCT.
Methods: Full volume (maxillofacial region) scans of 290 patients achieved for various reasons
were investigated by blinded two dentomaxillofacial radiologists. Demographic data of the patients
were saved. The findings were categorized and statistically analyzed with descriptive statistics,
crosstabs and chi-square tests.
Results: Totally 290 patients aged between 24 and 81 years old (mean age ± standard deviation:
49±14) consisting of 155 females (53.4%) and 135 males (46.6%) were examined in the study. The
most common calcifications were pineal gland calcification (64.5%), followed by tonsillolith
(34.1%), petroclinoid ligament calcification (33.4%), Intracranial Internal Carotid Artery Calcifications
(IICAC) (18.3%), Extracranial Internal Carotid Artery Calcifications (EICAC) (8.3%) and the
others (1.7%, equally sialolith, antrolith and choroid plexus calcification), respectively.
Conclusion: Tonsillolith, EICAC and IICAC showed an increase with age. EICAC was seen more
in females, conversely petroclinoid ligament calcification was seen more in males. There was a statistically
significant correlation between EICAC and IICAC.
