Pneumatized Articular Tubercle in Northeastern Population of Iran (Using Panoramic Radiography)
Author(s): Atie Safaee, Seyed Hosein Hoseini Zarch, Mohammad Mahdi Fakhlaei, Zhaleh Shafiei Sabet, Mahjube Entezare-Ghaem*
Abstract
Objective: This study tended to evaluate the frequency and features of pneumatized articular tubercle (PAT) in a selected Iranian population using panoramic radiography.
Methods & Materials: 3000 digital panoramic radiographs of 1582 women and 1418 men were evaluated. Chi square and Shapiro-Wilk tests were used for statistical analysis.
Results: PAT frequency was 2.7%. PAT was found in 42 men and 40 women aged 14.9 ± 3.28 years, ranging from 2 to 70. There was no significant difference in presence of PAT between two sexes (p=0.825). Unilateral type (77%) was more frequent than bilateral type (23%) with a ratio of 3.34:1. The results showed that 43 cases had unilocular and 39 cases had multilocular internal structure; there was no significant difference between their frequencies (p=0.659). There was a significant relationship between unilateral or bilateral and internal structure of defect (p=0.009).
Conclusion: Unlike many anatomical variations which occur bilaterally and symmetrically, unilateral PAT was more frequent in the studied Iranian population. This could make it more difficult for physicians to diagnose. On the other hand, lack of proper knowledge of PAT may lead to unnecessary referrals or unwanted complications during surgery. Therefore, accurate examination of panoramic images and CBCT images can prevent the occurrence of unwanted complications, which are sometimes hazardous to the patient life.
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