Kwang-Joon Koh

Prediction of age-related osteoporosis using fractal analysis on panoramic radiographs

Purpose This study was performed to evaluate the trabecular pattern on panoramic radiographs to predict age-related osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. Materials and Methods Thirty-one postmenopausal osteoporotic women and 25 postmenopausal healthy women between the ages of 50 and 88 were enrolled in this study. The bone mineral density (BMD) of the lumbar vertebrae and femur were calculated using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and panoramic radiographs were obtained. Fractal dimension (FD) was measured using the box counting method from 560 regions of interest (51×51 pixels) in 6 sites on the panoramic radiographs. The relationships between age and BMD and between FD and BMD were assessed, and the intraobserver agreement was determined. Results There was a significant difference in the FD values between the osteoporotic and normal groups (p<0.05). There was a significant difference in the FD values at three sites in the jaws (p<0.05). Age was significantly correlated with the BMD measurements, with an odds ratio of 1.25. However, the FD values were not significantly correlated with the BMD measurements, with an odds ratio of 0.000. The intraobserver agreement showed relatively higher correlation coefficients at the upper premolar, lower premolar, and lower anterior regions than the other sites. Conclusion Age was an important risk factor for predicting the presence of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. The lower premolar region was the most appropriate site for evaluating the FD value on panoramic radiographs. However, further investigation might be needed to predict osteoporosis using an FD value on panoramic radiographs.

Relationship between pain and effusion on magnetic resonance imaging in temporomandibular disorder patients

Purpose This study was performed to find the relationship between pain and joint effusion using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in temporomandibular disorder (TMD) patients. Materials and Methods The study subjects included 232 TMD patients. The inclusion criteria in this study were the presence of spontaneous pain or provoked pain on one or both temporomandibular joints (TMJs). The provoked pain was divided into three groups: pain on palpation (G1), pain on mouth opening (G2), and pain on mastication (G3). MRI examinations were performed using a 1.5-T MRI scanner. T1- and T2-weighted images with para-sagittal and para-coronal images were obtained. According to the T2-weighted image findings, the cases of effusions were divided into four groups: normal, mild (E1), moderate (E2), and marked effusion (E3). A statistical analysis was carried out using the χ2 test with SPSS (version 12.0, SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Results Spontaneous pain, provoked pain, and both spontaneous and provoked pain were significantly related to joint effusion in TMD patients (p<0.05). However, among the various types of provoked pain, pain on palpation of the masticatory muscles and TMJ (G1) was not related to joint effusion in TMD patients (p>0.05). Conclusion Spontaneous pain was related to the MRI findings of joint effusion; however, among the various types of provoked pain, pain on palpation of the masticatory muscles and TMJ was not related to the MRI findings of joint effusion. These results suggest that joint effusion has a significant influence on the prediction of TMJ pain.

Relationship between anterior disc displacement with/without reduction and effusion in temporomandibular disorder patients using magnetic resonance imaging

Purpose This study was performed to evaluate the relationship between anterior disc displacement and effusion in temporomandibular disorder (TMD) patients using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Materials and Methods The study subjects included 253 TMD patients. MRI examinations were performed using a 1.5 T MRI scanner. T1- and T2-weighted images with para-sagittal and para-coronal images were obtained. According to the MRI findings, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disc positions were divided into 3 subgroups: normal, anterior disc displacement with reduction (DWR), and anterior disc displacement without reduction (DWOR). The cases of effusion were divided into 4 groups: normal, mild (E1), moderate (E2), and marked effusion (E3). Statistical analysis was made by the Fishers exact test using SPSS (version 12.0, SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Results The subjects consisted of 62 males and 191 females with a mean age of 28.5 years. Of the 253 patients, T1- and T2-weighted images revealed 34 (13.4%) normal, DWR in 103 (40.7%), and DWOR in 116 (45.9%) on the right side and 37 (14.6%) normal, DWR in 94 (37.2%), and DWOR in 122 (48.2%) joints on the left side. Also, T2-images revealed 82 (32.4%) normal, 78 (30.8%) E1, 51 (20.2%) E2, and 42 (16.6%) E3 joints on the right side and 79 (31.2%) normal, 85 (33.6%) E1, 57 (22.5%) E2, and 32 (12.7%) E3 on the left side. There was no difference between the right and left side. Conclusion Anterior disc displacement was not related to the MRI findings of effusion in TMD patients (P>0.05).

Recurrent simple bone cyst of the mandibular condyle: a case report.

Cysts of the mandibular condyle are rare and can be difficult to diagnose and treat. Clinically, a simple bone cyst is asymptomatic and often discovered incidentally on routine radiographic examination. This report shows an atypical simple bone cyst occurring in the mandibular condyle showing recurrence after surgical curettage. Radiologically, this lesion involving the mandibular condyle should be distinguished from other similar lesions such as a chondroma, a central giant cell granuloma, and an aneurysmal bone cyst. Radiographic assessment was useful for forecasting the prognosis of a simple bone cyst. Possible reasons for the recurrence were discussed radiographically.

A magnetic resonance imaging study on changes in rat mandibular bone marrow and pulp tissue after high-dose irradiation

Purpose This study was designed to evaluate whether magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is appropriate for detecting early changes in the mandibular bone marrow and pulp tissue of rats after high-dose irradiation. Materials and Methods The right mandibles of Sprague-Dawley rats were irradiated with 10 Gy (Group 1, n=5) and 20 Gy (Group 2, n=5). Five non-irradiated animals were used as controls. The MR images of rat mandibles were obtained before irradiation and once a week until week 4 after irradiation. From the MR images, the signal intensity (SI) of the mandibular bone marrow and pulp tissue of the incisor was interpreted. The MR images were compared with the histopathologic findings. Results The SI of the mandibular bone marrow had decreased on T2-weighted MR images. There was little difference between Groups 1 and 2. The SI of the irradiated groups appeared to be lower than that of the control group. The histopathologic findings showed that the trabecular bone in the irradiated group had increased. The SI of the irradiated pulp tissue had decreased on T2-weighted MR images. However, the SI of the MR images in Group 2 was high in the atrophic pulp of the incisor apex at week 2 after irradiation. Conclusion These patterns seen on MRI in rat bone marrow and pulp tissue were consistent with histopathologic findings. They may be useful to assess radiogenic sclerotic changes in rat mandibular bone marrow.

Recurrent symptomatic cemento-osseous dysplasia: A case report

Cemento-osseous dysplasia (COD) is a benign fibro-osseous lesion of bone, in which normal bone is replaced by fibrous tissue, followed by calcification with osseous and cementum-like tissue. COD is classified into 3 categories according to its location: periapical, focal, and florid COD (FCOD). On radiography, FCOD appears radiolucent in its early stages. As it matures, radiopacities appear within the lesion, causing them to show a mixed appearance of radiolucency and radiopacity. Because FCOD is usually asymptomatic and grows in a self-limited manner, it does not require treatment. Secondary infection is the most frequent cause of symptomatic cases. We report a case of FCOD with symptoms that appeared after a dental restoration procedure and persisted after repeated operations. The purpose of this report is to emphasize the importance of thorough radiological evaluations of patients with FCOD before treatment.

Internal derangement as a predictor of provoked pain on mouth opening: A magnetic resonance imaging study

Purpose This study investigated the relationship between pain and internal derangement in temporomandibular disorder (TMD) patients using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Materials and Methods This study analyzed 356 TMD patients (712 temporomandibular joints [TMJs]). The inclusion criteria were the presence of spontaneous or provoked pain on one or both TMJs and having undergone MRI. The patients with provoked pain were divided into 3 groups: pain on palpation, pain on mouth opening, and pain on mastication. MRI was performed using a 1.5-T scanner. T1- and T2-weighted parasagittal and paracoronal images were obtained. According to the findings on the T1-weighted images, another 3 groups were created based on internal derangement: normal, disc displacement with reduction, and disc displacement without reduction. The MRI findings were independently interpreted by 2 experienced oral and maxillofacial radiologists at 2 different times. Statistical analysis was performed by the chi-square test using SPSS (version 12.0; SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Results Provoked pain on mouth opening was found to be correlated with internal derangement in TMD patients (P<.05). However, spontaneous pain and provoked pain on palpation or mastication were not associated with internal derangement (P>.05). Conclusion These results suggest that internal derangement was a significant predictor of provoked pain on mouth opening.