Articular eminence pneumatization in patients with different sagittal skeletal patterns: Cone-beam computed tomography study

Abstract

This study objectives to evaluate the type and degree of articular eminence pneumatization in individuals with different sagittal skeletal patterns. Cone-beam computed tomography images of 139 patients were included in the study. The population was divided into groups according to their sagittal skeletal anomalies by A point-nasion-B point angle measurement. The laterality, grade, and type of pneumatization were recorded. Pearson Chi-square test and Fisher’s exact test were performed to evaluate gender, sagittal skeletal anomalies, pneumatization type, and grade. A pneumatized articular eminence (PAT) was found in 74.8% of the population. Grade 1 pneumatization and the multilocular type where the most common pneumatization. There were no correlations between sagittal skeletal anomalies and pneumatization grades. The prevalence of PAT was high concerning the previous studies. However, there were no correlations between the sagittal skeletal anomalies, pneumatization type, and grade. Clinicians must always be aware of the potential for pneumatizations as they may cause untoward complications.