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

Abstract

Objective: to evaluate the prevalence of calcifications in the soft tissues of the cervical-facial region using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images. Material and Methods: two hundred and ten CBCT exames was analyzed by 01 examiner previously trained, with fild of view (FOV) of 16 x 13 cm and voxel of 0.25 mm, in ICAT Vision software (Imaging Science International, Hatfield, PA, USA) in coronal, axial and sagittal sections. The following calcifications were evaluated: tonsiloliths, sialolites, calcification of the styloid complex, calcified carotid atheromas, calcifications in laryngeal cartilages, calcified lymph nodes and osteoma cutis. The findings were tabulated according to the total of the sample, related to the gender, age group of the individuals. Results: Calcification of the styloid complex was the most frequent in the sample studied in both genres (39.04%), followed by the presence of tonsiloliths (19.52%), and calcified lymph nodes (6,67%). Conclusion: calcifications are frequent radiographic findings in CBCT and important for the diagnosis of some possible pathologies that do not present clinical symptoms.KEYWORDSCone-beam computed tomography; Prevalence; Soft tissue calcification.

The Prevalence of Soft Tissue Calcifications in the Head and Neck Region Using CBCT among Egyptian Population

“…Regarding CAC, we detected 4 cases with (0.69%) prevalence within the whole sample.And this is considered less than Diniz et al, study which showed prevalence (4, 76%) within the whole sample. 1 Only one case in our study was detected with ethmoidal sinolith. The presence of sinolith in the ethmoidal sinus is very rare and only 5 cases in the English literature were documented with ethmoidal sinolith as mentioned by Sava and Rusu.…”

“…04%) then tonsilloliths with (19.52%). 1 In Diniz et al, study sialoliths showed prevalence (0,47%) within the whole sample. 1 which is much less comparing to our study calcified stylohoid ligament is considered elongated if exceeded 30mm.…”

“…1 In Diniz et al, study sialoliths showed prevalence (0,47%) within the whole sample. 1 which is much less comparing to our study calcified stylohoid ligament is considered elongated if exceeded 30mm. Also prevalence of laryngeal cartilage calcification in our study was less than Adam B.…”

“…There were (3) scans which we cannot reach a certain diagnosis of them with prevalence (0.72%). The frequency (n) and percentage of calcifications of each type detected is shown in table (1).…”

“…Calcification is a biochemical occurrence at which calcium salts, mainly calcium phosphate, deposit in certain regions of certain organ. 1 Calcification of soft tissues in the region of head and neck can exist as physiologic or pathologic mineralization. 2 Heterotopic calcification denotes the deposition of calcium salts in an unorganized fashion in soft tissue.…”