title: The pneumatization patterns of the roof of the parapharyngeal space in CBCT.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The rhinopharynx and the parapharyngeal space (PPS) are complex anatomical territories located beneath the skull base. Thorough knowledge of the complex anatomy of the PPS is essential in treatment of pathologies such as parapharyngeal abscesses. The roof of the PPS is overlooked in anatomy. It was hypothesized that the pneumatization pattern of the PPS roof is individually variable, as determined by the variable pneumatization patterns of the sphenoid and temporal bones. The study was aimed at assessing the anatomy of the PPS roof in CBCT.
  
  
  METHODS
  The present study was performed retrospectively on a group of 35 subjects (37.1% males) evaluated by CBCT for various dental procedures.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age of the group was 37.9 (SD: 14.2, range: 18 to 61). The major bony landmarks of the PPS roof were: the petrous apex with the carotid canal, the jugular foramen, the foramen lacerum, the sphenopetrosal fissure or suture, and the root of the pterygoid process. Variable patterns of pneumatization were determined by the petrous apex air cells and the pterygoalar recess of the sphenoidal sinus. As related to the individually pattern of pneumatization, the following types of the PPS roof were defined: (i) type 1 - not pneumatized PPS roof; (ii) type 2 - sphenoidal but not petrosal pneumatization of the PPS roof; (iii) type 3 - petrosal but not sphenoidal pneumatization of the PPS roof; (iv) type 4 - sphenoidal and petrosal pneumatizations of the PPS roof.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although on the left side the degree of pneumatization was higher than on the right side, no statistical differences were recorded (p > 0.05). The pattern of pneumatizations in the PPS roof should be assessed when PPS involvement in otitis or sinusitis is considered.
authors.affiliation: PhD stud., Department of Anatomy and Embryology, "Victor Babeş" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timişoara, Romania.
authors.forename: Felicia
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Andrei
authors.affiliation: MD, PhD, Professor, Department of Anatomy and Embryology, "Victor Babeş" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timişoara, Romania.
authors.forename: Andrei Gheorghe Marius
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Motoc
authors.affiliation: MD, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Anatomy and Embryology, "Victor Babeş" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timişoara, Romania.
authors.forename: Adelina Maria
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Jianu
authors.affiliation: MD, PhD, Sen.Lect., Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Dental Medicine, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania.
authors.forename: Mugurel Constantin
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Rusu
authors.affiliation: MD, PhD, Professor, Anatomy Section, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Carla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Loreto
keywords: Skull base; air sinus; middle cranial fossa; temporal bone