Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of Stafne bone defect (SBD) and to describe the clinical and radiological characteristics of detected cases. Methods: A retrospective study was performed using panoramic radiographs from 34 221 patients undergoing dental treatment in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology at Erciyes University and Ataturk University, Turkey. After finding an image compatible with SBD in the radiographs, multislice CT (MSCT) on seven patients and cone beam CT (CBCT) on six patients were performed to confirm the diagnosis. Results: Of the 34 221 patients, 29 (0.08 %) had SBDs, of whom 4 were female (13.8%) and 25 were male (86.2 %). The age range of patients with SBD was 18-77 years (mean age 49.6 years). SBD was found in the lingual molar region in 28 patients and in the lingual caninepremolar region of the mandible in 1 patient. The contour of the concavities on CT images (MSCT and CBCT) was detected. The MSCT revealed glandular tissue within the defects. Conclusions: According to our results, SBD is an uncommon anomaly. Examination of MSCT images supports the presence of aberrant submandibular glands within these mandibular defects, suggesting that pressure from submandibular gland tissue had caused the SBD, as generally thought. Both CBCT and MSCT can provide adequate support for the detection of SBDs. The CBCT could be suggested as the most suitable non-invasive diagnostic modality for this bony configuration of the mandible since it provides a lower radiation exposure dose than MSCT. Dentomaxillofacial Radiology (2012) 41, 152-158. doi: 10.1259/dmfr/10586700 Keywords: bone cyst; computer-assisted three-dimensional imaging; panoramic radiography; cone beam computed tomography; salivary glands Introduction Stafne bone defect (SBD) was first described by Stafne in 1942, who reported 35 asymptomatic unilateral radiolucent cavities in the posterior region of the mandible. Lesions were located between the mandibular angle and the third molar, below the inferior dental canal and above the mandibular base. 1 Many other terms have been used to describe this entity, including aberrant or ectopic salivary gland; static, latent or idiopathic defect, cavity or cyst; mandibular salivary gland inclusion; lingual mandibular bone cavity, concavity or depression; and Stafne cyst, defect or cavity. [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11] The posterior lingual variant has an incidence of between 0.10% and 0.48% when diagnosed radiologically. However, some cadaver studies have revealed that the incidence of the lesion may be as high as 6.06%. The age range is quite wide, although there is a clear predilection for males in the fifth or sixth decade. 3,6,9 When the term SBD is found in the literature, it usually refers to the posterior lingual variant. The anterior lingual variant is seven times less frequent than the posterior and is usually located between the incisor and the premolar areas, above the insertion of the mylohyoid muscle. 2,11When reviewing the literature regar...

Objective: To investigate the frequency and characteristics of the mandibular accessory buccal foramen (ABF) with CT. Methods: A retrospective study was carried out using the CT records of 504 patients referred to the Erciyes University Medical School (Kayseri, Turkey) between 2007 and 2010. Presence, location, diameter, area and number of ABFs and their continuity with mandibular canal and distance to the mental foramen were evaluated using axial, sagittal and threedimensional CT images. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSSH v. 15 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL), and t-tests were used for statistical analysis. Results: 14 ABFs were observed in 10 (2%) of 504 patients. The frequency of ABFs was found to be 2.6% in males and 1% in females. The mean distance between the ABF and the mental foramen was 5.0 mm [standard deviation (SD) ¡2.48]. The mean long axis of the ABFs was 1.4 mm (SD ¡0.4) and the mean area of them was 1.5 mm 2 (SD ¡0.8). The mean area of the mental foramen on the side with the ABF was 4.1 mm 2 (SD ¡2.71). Conclusions: This study presents a relatively lower frequency of ABFs than that in the literature. These foramina could have more complex neurovascular structures than was previously thought. Thus, in special cases where a direct surgical exploration during the planned surgery is not indicated, CT or cone beam CT examination to determine the possible presence of ABFs may be indicated.

Objective: To determine the frequency and characteristics of bifid mandibular condyle (BMC) using computed tomography (CT) evaluation. Study Design: A retrospective study was carried out using the CT records of 550 patients referred to the Medical School of Erciyes University (Kayseri, Turkey) between 2007 and 2010. T-tests were used to compare frequency of BMC between the left and right sides and between female and male patients. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software and a chi-squared test. Results: Of the 550 Patients, 10 patients (1.82%) were found to have BMCs. Five patients were female (50%) and five were male (50%). Of these 10 patients, 7 (70%) had unilateral and 3 (30%) had bilateral BMCs. As a result, a total of 13 BMCs were found in 10 patients. No statistically significant differences were found between either the right- and left-sided BMCs or between female and male patients (p >.05). Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first retrospective study investigating the prevalence and characteristics of BMC using computed tomography. Although BMC is an uncommon anomaly, it may be a more frequent condition in the Turkish population. Further studies and research on the orientation of duplicated condylar heads should be carried out. Key words:Computed tomography, bifid condyle, double-headed condyle, orientation, frequency.

MDCT is helpful for visualizing the full length of extremities and for evaluating length and thickness on one image.

BACKGROUND.: Our purpose was to evaluate the effectiveness of bedside sonography (US) in the detection of pneumothorax secondary to blunt thoracic trauma. METHODS.: In this prospective study, 240 hemithoraces of 120 consecutive patients with multiple trauma were evaluated with chest radiographs (CXR) and bedside thoracic US for the diagnosis of pneumothorax. CT examinations were performed in 68 patients. Fifty-two patients who did not undergo CT examinations were excluded from the study. US examinations were performed independently at bedside by two radiologists who were not informed about CXR and CT findings. CXRs were interpreted by two radiologists who were unaware of the US and CT results. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of CXR and US were calculated. RESULTS.: One hundred thirty-six hemithoraces were assessed in 68 patients. A total of 35 pneumothoraces were detected in 33 patients. On US, the diagnosis of pneumothorax was correct in 32 hemithoraces. In 98 hemithoraces without pneumothorax, US was normal. With US examination, there were three false-positive and three false-negative results. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and overall accuracy of US were 91.4%, 97%, 91.4%, 97%, and 97%, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of CXR were 82.7%, 89.7%, 68.5%, 95%, and 89.5%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS.: Bedside thoracic US is an accurate method that can be used in trauma patients instead of CXR for the detection of pneumothorax.