Evaluation of prevalence and characteristics of ponticulus posticus among Japanese adults: A comparative study between CBCT imaging and lateral cephalogram

Abstract

Purpose

Purpose of the study was to evaluate the prevalence and precise characteristics of ponticulus posticus (PP) among Japanese adults using CBCT, and to evaluate the accuracy of PP by using the lateral cephalogram.

Materials and methods

This retrospective study consisted of lateral cephalogram and CBCT scans of 204 subjects (46 Males and 158 Females) above the age of 20 years. Prevalence and characteristics of PP was assessed. Chi-square test was used for statistical analysis.

Results

30 PP positive cases (14.7%) were defined by using CBCT. 12.7% subjects were assessed PP positive cases on lateral cephalogram. The accuracy of PP by using cephalogram was 0.89, sensitivity was 0.56 and specificity was 0.95.On CBCT assessment, there were 16 PP (7.8%) present on right side of Atlas whereas 23 PP (11.2%) were present on left side. Statistically significant difference was seen in the prevalence of left side PP. Among the 158 females 25 (15.8%) had PP whereas out of 46 males 5 (10.8%) had PP. No statistical significant differences were seen in gender and age groups.

Conclusion

PP is quite a common finding in Japanese adults. There were cases in which PP was not detected on lateral cephalogram compared with CBCT.