title: Incidental findings of skull-base abnormalities in cone-beam computed tomography scans with consultation by maxillofacial radiologists.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) gives orthodontists and other dental clinicians 3-dimensional information for planning treatment in the craniofacial region. Often overlooked are incidental findings outside the treatment region of interest.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two patients with incidental findings of skull-base abnormalities are presented. The orthodontic patient was tentatively diagnosed with a notochordal remnant in the clivus; the implant patient exhibited an empty sella turcica.
  
  
  RESULTS
  For the clivus lesion in the orthodontic patient, an artifact was ruled out after a second CBCT image and further distinguished from a fat-containing tumor after magnetic resonance imaging. The impression after magnetic resonance imaging was a notochordal remnant, although chordoma was also included in the differential, warranting a 6-month follow-up magnetic resonance image to confirm the diagnosis. The CBCT study for the implant patient demonstrated an enlarged sella turcica. The impression after the magnetic resonance imaging was an enlarged and partially empty sella with no evidence of a pituitary mass.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Orthodontists and implant surgeons may come across incidental findings outside their area of expertise on CBCT scans, highlighting the importance of appropriate consultation with maxillofacial radiologists. Notochordal remnants may present as nonexpansile intraosseous low-density areas. The challenge in distinguishing these lesions radiographically with chordomas warrants follow-up to confirm a diagnosis. An empty sella is a noteworthy finding because of its potential for endocrine and neuro-ophthalmological disorders despite an asymptomatic presentation.
authors.affiliation: Resident, Division of Radiology, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Diagnostic Sciences, College of Dentistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, Fla. Electronic address: newazz@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Zubad A
authors.initials: ZA
authors.lastname: Newaz
authors.affiliation: Resident, Division of Radiology, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Diagnostic Sciences, College of Dentistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, Fla.
authors.forename: Sevin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Barghan
authors.affiliation: Clinical assistant professor, Division of Radiology, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Diagnostic Sciences, College of Dentistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, Fla.
authors.forename: Rujuta A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Katkar
authors.affiliation: Associate professor, Division of Neuroradiology, Department of Radiology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Fla.
authors.forename: Jeffrey A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Bennett
authors.affiliation: Chairman and professor, Division of Radiology, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Diagnostic Sciences, College of Dentistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, Fla.
authors.forename: Madhu K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Nair
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000368:Aged; D016477:Artifacts; D002817:Chordoma / Q000175:diagnosis; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography / Q000379:methods*; D003388:Cranial Fossa, Posterior / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004652:Empty Sella Syndrome / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D033162:Incidental Findings; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D009672:Notochord / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D009970:Orthodontics; D011871:Radiology; D012017:Referral and Consultation