title: Investigation of pneumatized articular eminence in orthodontic malocclusions.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the prevalence and characteristics of pneumatized articular tubercule (PAT) or eminence in an orthodontic patient population and to examine the possible correlations between different orthodontic malocclusions and pneumatized articular eminence types.
  
  
  METHODS
  Department of Orthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Ankara University, Turkey.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pre-treatment panoramic radiographs were evaluated retrospectively from files of 1405 children and adolescents (459 boys and 946 girls) having various types of malocclusions. Diagnosis of PAT on the radiographs was recorded only if unequivocal pneumatization of the articular eminence could be seen or if the defect was located in the articular eminence posterior to the zygomaticotemporal suture, as a well-defined unilocular- or multilocular radiolucency. PAT was classified as unilocular or multilocular and unilateral or bilateral. Chi-square test was performed to evaluate age, gender, localization, type of malocclusion and prevalence differences.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixty-six pneumatized articular eminences were found in 48 patients, representing a prevalence of 3.42%. The results of chi-square test showed no statistically significant differences considering age (p = 0.516), gender (p = 0.719), type of malocclusion (p = 0.155) and localization (p = 0.738).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A relatively high rate of pneumatized articular eminence was observed among patients with orthodontic malocclusions (3.42%) when compared to the general population studies. Knowledge about these structures is helpful for the interpretation of cephalometric and panoramic radiographs and provides valuable information especially prior to temporomandibular joint surgery to avoid intra-operative reconstruction and complications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Diagnosis and Radiology, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Ankara, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Orhan
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Oz
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ulas
authors.forename: A I
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Orhan
authors.forename: A E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Ulker
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Delilbasi
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Akcam
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000388:Air; D002508:Cephalometry; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008310:Malocclusion / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013701:Temporal Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013704:Temporomandibular Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D055815:Young Adult