Evaluation of Styloid Process Morphology and Calcification Types in Both Genders With Different Ages and Dental Status

Abstract

Purpose:The purpose of this study was to investigate the morphology and calcification pattern of the styloid process (SP) and to determine their relations with subjects’ age, gender, and dental status.Materials and Methods:910 panoramic radiographs were stratified by age, dental status and gender. The distance between the points where SP leaves the tympanic plate of the temporal bone and the bony tip of SP was measured. Calcification patterns were classified as : (A) Region 1, tympanohyal alone (B) Region 2, stylohyal alone (C) Region 1 and 2, separate (D) Regions 1 and 2, continuous (E) Regions 1, 2, and 3, continuous (F) Regions 1, 2, and 3, separate (G) Regions 1 and 2, continuous, but separate from 3 (H) Regions 2 and 3, separate (I) Regions 2 and 3, continuous, but separate from 1 (J) Region 3 alone (K) Region 3 and 4, continuous (may include calcification in one other region) (L) No styloid process visible.Results:The right SPs were found to be longer than the left (p<0.05). Types D (right 42.9%, left 42%) and E (right 33.3%, left 30.8%) were the most common morphological calcifications on both sides. No statistical difference was found for bilateral SP length between gender, age, and dental status groups. A significant difference was found only for right SP morphological calcification types as to age groups in both genders (p<0.05). No significant difference was found for SP morphological calcification types according to gender and dental status.Conclusion:The morphological types are formed at their present area. Even though SP calcification type was determined according to the length of SP, age was not an effective factor on the length, but the morphological calcification type of SP. Therefore, factors other than age may have a role in the development of morphological calcification types. Structural characteristics of SP are not associated with age, gender and dental status.

Radiographic Characteristics of Soft Tissue Calcification on Digital Panoramic Images

“…Previous authors, similar to ours, reported the same prevalence rates in males and females [20]. A higher prevalence of calcification of this complex in patients between 20 to 40 years was in agreement with the results previously reported [21]; whereas, some researchers reported a higher prevalence in 50 to 59-years old [22].…”

Prevalence of soft tissue calcifications in cone beam computed tomography images in the region of head and neck

“…These changes require treatment, and since the calcification of the carotid artery is silent, it may be reported after a routine examination. It is important to evaluate other signs and symptoms to confirm the diagnosis, and it is necessary to differentiate the atheroma of the carotid artery from calcifications, such as thyroid cartilage, calcified lymph nodes, sialolites and phlebolites [15][16][17].…”

Mineralization of Soft Tissues in Panoramic Radiographies

“…En el presente estudio donde se analizó un total de 347 radiografías, se encontró un total del 27% de calcificaciones del proceso estilohioideo, ya sea uni o bilateral, relacionado este al Síndrome de Eagle que se caracteriza por presentar sintomatología dolorosa (28)(29)(30)(31)(32). Los estudios indican que no hay relación entre el sexo y la calcificación del proceso estilohioideo, pero sería de mucho interés determinar si la etnia es un factor determinante de esta patología (6,33).…”

“…El ligamento estilohioideo empieza en el hueso temporal por delante del agujero estomastoideo, lugar por donde se extienen muchas estructuras neuromusculares importantes tales como la arteria carótida, vena yugular interna y nervios craneales. El tamaño normal oscila entre los 20-32mm, y su elongación, si supera los 30mm, puede estar asociada al síndrome (6).…”