Mandibular bone depression, also known as Stafne bone cavity, is defined as a bone depression filled mainly with salivary gland tissue. Parotid gland bone defects are infrequently observed. We report the case of a 52-year-old male patient who underwent radiographic examinations due to temporomandibular joint dysfunction, and a radiolucent area was detected in the mandibular ramus, with a provisional diagnosis of traumatic bone cyst or parotid mandibular bone defect. The patient was then referred for magnetic resonance imaging, which demonstrated a hyperintense area eroding the mandibular ramus, which corresponded to glandular tissue. Although the defect was a benign lesion, radiolucencies in the mandibular ramus lead to concerns among professionals, because their radiographic features can resemble various intrabony neoplastic lesions, such as giant cell tumors or benign tumors of the parotid gland.
Bone Cysts ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1 ; Depression ; Diagnosis ; Giant Cell Tumors ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Parotid Gland ; Radiography, Panoramic ; Salivary Glands ; Temporomandibular Joint

Purpose: This study was performed to assess and describe the imaging features of 40 cases of Stafne bone defects (SBDs) on computed tomographic (CT) examinations. Materials and Methods: This study collected data, including age and sex, from 40 patients with SBDs who underwent CT exams. The imaging features of the SBDs were assessed in terms of their location, average size, the relationship of their contour with the cortical plate of the lingual mandible, bone margins, degree of internal density, shape, topographic relationship between the defect and the mandibular edge, the distance from the SBD to the base of the mandible, and the Ariji classification (type I, II, and III). Results: The average age was 57.3 years (range, 28-78 years), and the patients were predominantly male (70%). In all cases (100%), the posterior unilateral lingual SBD variant was observed. Within the Ariji classification, type I was the most common (60%). Among the most frequently observed radiographic characteristics were thick sclerotic bone margin across the entire defect contour, completely hypointense internal content, an oval shape, and continuity with the mandibular base with discontinuity of the mandibular edge. Conclusion This study showed that posterior SBDs could present with an oval or rounded shape, complete hypodensity, and thick sclerotic margins. Likewise, SBDs could appear almost anywhere, with minor differences from the classic SBD appearance. It is fundamental for dental practitioners to know the imaging features of SBDs, since they are diagnosed primarily based on imaging.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess and compare the diagnostic performance of panoramic and occlusal radiographs in detecting submandibular sialoliths. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 40 patients (20 cases and 20 controls) were included in this retrospective study. Cases were defined as subjects with a submandibular sialolith confirmed by computed tomography (CT), whereas controls did not have any submandibular calcifications. Three observers with different expertise levels assessed panoramic and occlusal radiographs of all subjects for the presence of sialoliths. Intraobserver and interobserver agreement were assessed using the kappa test. Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive and negative predictive values, and the diagnostic odds ratio of panoramic and occlusal radiographs in screening for submandibular sialoliths were calculated for each observer. RESULTS: The sensitivity and specificity values for occlusal and panoramic radiographs all ranged from 80% to 100%. The lowest values of sensitivity and specificity observed among the observers were 82.6% and 80%, respectively (P=0.001). Intraobserver and interobserver agreement were higher for occlusal radiographs than for panoramic radiographs, although panoramic radiographs demonstrated a higher overall accuracy. CONCLUSION: Both panoramic and occlusal radiographic techniques displayed satisfactory diagnostic performance and should be considered before using a CT scan to detect submandibular sialoliths.
Humans ; Mass Screening ; Multidetector Computed Tomography ; Odds Ratio ; Radiography, Dental ; Radiography, Panoramic ; Retrospective Studies ; Salivary Gland Calculi* ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Purpose: To focus on the effects of the presence of mesiodens on adjacent teeth and to investigate the timing of its safe removal. Materials and Methods: Cone-beam computed tomography examinations, obtained at Okayama University Hospital over a three-year period, were inspected. Data were recorded including the number of mesiodens; associated abnormalities; and the relationship with neighboring structures. Depending on multiple factors, the risk of developing complications due to early extraction of a mesiodens was divided into three categories: high, medium, and low risk. Results: A total of 5,958 cone-beam computed tomography exams were obtained, 460 patients aged 3-85 years were diagnosed with a total of 568 mesiodens, 382 (67.3%) of which were discovered in young patients (age <10 years), and 333 (87.2%) of these were associated with abnormalities. Regarding the risk categories, 11 (1.9%) were considered to be in the high-risk, five (0.9%) in the medium-risk and 552 (97.2%) in the low-risk categories. Moreover, eight out of 11 high-risk mesiodens were extracted and no post-operative complications have been seen. Conclusion As the results showed that no postoperative complications were seen in all the extracted cases of high-risk mesiodens, this indicates the possibility of safe extraction at an early age which could reduce related future complications.