Ibrahim Sevki Bayrakdar

Cone beam computed tomography imaging of ponticulus posticus: prevalence, characteristics, and a review of the literature

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of ponticulus posticus (PP) using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and to describe the radiologic characteristics of the detected cases. STUDY DESIGN The presence and types of PP were investigated on 730 CBCT images. RESULTS PP was found in 17.4% (127) of the 730 CBCT scans. Of these 127 patients, 79 (10.8%) had bilateral PP and 48 (6.6%) had unilateral PP. Male predominance was found with a prevalence of 19.5% (54 of 277) and female prevalence was 16.1% (73 of 453). The prevalence of PP increased with age; the highest prevalence of PP was seen in those who were 49 to 81 years of age. CONCLUSIONS This study shows that PP is not an uncommon anatomic variation and is a natural incidental finding on CBCT.

Clinical and radiological findings of a bilateral coronoid hyperplasia case

Coronoid hyperplasia (CH) is an infrequent condition that can be defined as an abnormal bony elongation of histologically normal bone. Progressive and painless difficulty in opening the mouth is the main clinical finding of CH. In this case report, the clinical and radiological findings for a 23-year-old male patient with bilateral CH are presented. When plain radiographies are not sufficient for diagnosis and evaluation of the CH, cone-beam computed tomography can be used.

A comparison of three different diabetes screening methods among dental patients in Turkey

Objective: This study was conducted to describe the frequency of diabetes in dental patients, and to compare three different screening methods: the random finger plasma glucose (RFPG) test, the Finnish diabetes risk score (FINDRISC) survey and a special clinical guideline developed for dental patients. Methods: The study design was cross-sectional, descriptive and comparative. The data were collected between August 2011 and February 2012. A total of 702 dental patients participated in this study. The screening tools were RFPG, FINDRISC and a clinical guideline. Data were analyzed using the Chi-squared test, the t test, analysis of variance, and the Pearson correlation test. Results: The frequency of diabetes was 8.3% for the participants. The prevalence of participants at risk for undiagnosed diabetes was 20.1% according to the RFPG test, 29.9% according to the FINDRISC, and 29.8% according to the clinical guideline. Correlation analysis showed a significant positive correlation between the screening methods (p<0.001 for each). Conclusion: The overall frequency of diabetes was 8.3%. It was found that the three screening methods used in this study were statistically similar. However, FINDRISC and clinical guideline as the questionnaire screening tools indicated a little larger group than RFPG with respect to diabetes risk.

Fractal properties of the trabecular pattern of the mandible in chronic renal failure

OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to evaluate fractal analysis as a tool to quantitatively determine the mandibular trabecular bone changes in patients with chronic renal failure (CRF). METHODS In the present study, fractal analysis was performed using ImageJ (National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD) program with box-counting method over panoramic radiographs of 25 patients (14 females and 11 males) with CRF and 26 healthy individuals (14 females and 12 males) as a control group. The fractal dimension (FD) values of the patients and healthy individuals were compared. In addition, average biochemical parameters [parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), product of Ca and P levels (CaxP), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), vitamin D] of the patients with CRF, as measured during the 3 months before the panoramic radiographs, were compared with FD values. RESULTS According to the results, FD values of the patients with CRF were found to be statistically lower than the control group (p < 0.05). The average PTH levels of the patients with CRF were 416.16 ± 310.3 pg ml(-1); average Ca levels were 8.94 ± 1.2 mg dl(-1); average P levels were 5.76 ± 1.7 mg dl(-1); average CaxP values were 51.12 ± 15.03; average ALP levels were 83.44 ± 36.8 U l(-1); and the average vitamin D values were 19.43 ± 9.7 ng ml(-1). In addition, there was no significant correlation between FD values and the biochemical parameters of the patients, and there was no correlation between age, gender and FD. CONCLUSIONS The FD values of the patients with CRF were lower than those of the controls. This finding suggests that FD analysis might be a promising simple and cost-effective tool for evaluating trabecular bone structure.

Morphometric Analysis of Sella Turcica Using Cone Beam Computed Tomography.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess morphological shape and morphometric analysis of the sella turcica using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) in different planes of section (coronal and sagittal). Materials and Methods: CBCT images of 177 subjects of which 51 males and 126 females in the age group of 11 to 73 years were included in the study population. Linear dimensions which include the length, depth, diameter, and interclinoid distance were measured and the shape of sella turcica was analyzed. Results: Sella turcica had circular morphology in 69.5% of the subjects while flattened shape of sella turcica was observed in 16.4%, oval shape of sella turcica in 14%. There was no significant difference in the all measurements of sella turcica between males and females (P > 0.05). Diameter (P < 0.01), depth (P < 0.001), length (P < 0.05), and interclinoid distance (P < 0.05) of the sella turcica differed significantly with age. Conclusions: The anatomical structure of sella turcica can be studied effectively in CBCT images. Linear dimensions and shape of sella turcica in the current study can be used as reference standards for further investigations.

A rare case of bilateral complex odontomas: Clinical, radiological and histopathological findings

Odontoma is the most common odontogenic tumor that is radiographically and histologically characterized by the production of mature enamel, dentin, cementum and pulp tissue. It grows slowly and has nonaggressive behavior. This case report presents clinical, radiological and pathological findings of bilateral complex odontoma that is rarely in literature in a 30-year-old female patient.

Ultrasonography in the evaluation of the mid-palatal suture in rapid palatal expansion

OBJECTIVES Orthodontists usually evaluate the mid-palatal sutural opening with occlusal radiography. The purpose of this article is to evaluate the sutural opening with ultrasonography (USG) in a series of patients undergoing rapid palatal expansion (RPE). METHODS The study included 87 USG images and 87 occlusal radiographs from 29 healthy patients (mean age, 13.9 years; range, 11-20 years; boys, 12; girls, 17) who required RPE treatment. The sutural opening was assessed with USG, and the amount of sutural expansion as mesiodistal length was measured immediately after appliance practice (T0), 10 turns (T1) and 20 turns (T2) during the expansion period. Sutural expansion evaluated by occlusal radiographs was scored at every stage. Measurements obtained by USG and scores observed in the occlusal radiographs were compared by non-parametric Kendalls tau test. RESULTS Both USG and radiographic images revealed normal anatomical structure during pre-expansion (stage T0). On USG, sutural expansion was seen in 19 patients at stage T1. There was no expansion at this stage in ten patients. At stage T2, on USG and radiography, an increase in the amount of expansion was observed in 19 patients with sutural expansion at stage T1 and sutural expansion was observed in 5 patients without sutural expansion at stage T1. No expansion was observed at both stages T1 and T2 in five patients. USG measurements and occlusal scores in both T1 and T2 turns showed statistically significant correlation (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS The results indicate that USG might be a useful method to assess mid-palatal sutural opening in patients undergoing RPE.

Evaluation of Sella Turcica Shape and Dimensions in Cleft Subjects using Cone Beam Computed Tomography.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the morphology of the sella turcica and measure its size in cleft and noncleft subjects. Material and Methods: Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images of 54 individuals (29 males; 25 females) with cleft and 85 (22 males; 63 females) without cleft were used for this study. Syndromic patients with cleft(s) were not included because of possible additional endocrinological and/or morphological disorders. Linear measurements included length, depth, and diameter. The shape of the sella turcica was analyzed in the cleft and noncleft groups. An independent t test was conducted to evaluate differences between genders and groups. One-way ANOVA was used to compare age groups. Results: The length (p < 0.001) of the sella turcica was smaller in noncleft subjects than in cleft subjects. Diameter (p = 0.014) and depth (p = 0.005) showed as constantly increasing from an age <15 to >25 years in the overall assessment. The distribution of the shape of the sella turcica differed significantly between groups (p < 0.001). Conclusions: In this study, CBCT was used to assess the morphology of the sella turcica. A majority of the subjects with cleft had a flattened sella turcica compared to that of the control group. A shorter length of the sella turcica was more evident in the cleft subjects than in the control group.

Nasolabial Cyst: A Case Report with Ultrasonography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings

Nasolabial cysts are uncommon nonodontogenic lesions that occur in the nasal alar region. These lesions usually present with asymptomatic swelling but can cause pain if infected. In this case report, we describe the inadequacy of conventional radiography in a nasolabial cyst case, as well as the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasonography (US) findings in a 54-year-old female patient.

Ectopic Premolar Tooth in the Sigmoid Notch

Impaction of a mandibular premolar is relatively uncommon. Ectopic placement is more unusual and there has been no discussion in the literature of an ectopic mandibular premolar in the coronoid process. In this case report, we present an impacted ectopic mandibular permanent premolar in the sigmoid notch (incisura mandibulae) region. Etiology of the tooth and treatment options are discussed and illustrated by Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) images.