Zygomatic Air Cell Defect - Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Temporomandibular Joint Compared with Panoramic Radiographs

• Published in: Acta clinica Croatica (Tisak) Vol. 57; no. 2; pp. 227 - 234
• Main Authors: Zadravec, Dijana, Badel, Tomislav, Smoljan, Mia, Čimić, Samir, Katavić, Nataša, Savić Pavičin, Ivana
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Croatia Sestre Milosrdnice University Hospital and Institute of Clinical Medical Research, Vinogradska cesta c. 29 Zagreb 01.06.2018; Sestre Milosrdnice University hospital, Institute of Clinical Medical Research
• Subjects: Croatia; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Original Scientific Papers; Radiography, Panoramic; Temporal Bone; Temporomandibular Joint; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders - diagnostic imaging; Zygoma - diagnostic imaging; Temporal Bone; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Radiography, Panoramic; Zygoma - diagnostic imaging; Croatia
• ISSN: 0353-9466; 1333-9451
• DOI: 10.20471/acc.2018.57.02.01

The aim of the study was to analyze zygomatic air cell defect (ZACD) incidence using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and validity of panoramic radiograph as a comparative method of ZACD diagnostics. The connection between ZACD incidence, age, left/right temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and comorbidity with diagnosis of TMJ disorder was analyzed. Panoramic radiographs and MRIs of 140 TMJs of 70 consecutive patients with previously confirmed TMJ diagnosis were compared in the study. A grading system (4-point scale from '0' for absence to '3' for most extended pneumatization) was used to determine low signal on MRIs as pneumatization of temporal bone. ZACD was diagnosed in 22 joints of 15 patients (incidence, 20.4%), with seven patients having bilateral appearance. In the joints of nine patients, ZACD was identified as extensive accord-ing to the grading scale. The validity of ZACD findings on panoramic radiographs compared with MRI findings yielded 0.45 sensitivity and 0.98 specificity. There was no relation (p>0.05) between comorbidity of ZACD and TMJ disorder, either by age or side of the body. More prevalent ZACD in our MRI analysis than in other researches based on panoramic radiographs could be explained by the expected superimposed osseous structures in the area of articular eminence.