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Introduction: Pneumatisation represents areas of minimal resistance, making it easier for the expansion of numerous pathological processes such as tumours, infections, or fractures into the joint. Detection of these air-filled cavities is necessary before planning surgical intervention in order to prevent complications. Aim: To assess the prevalence and characteristics of Pneumatisation of the Articular Eminence of the Temporal Bone (PAT) in the Bengaluru population. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted in the Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology at an esteemed Dental College and Hospital in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India. The study lasted for 13 months, from March 2019 to February 2020. The study included Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) images of 133 patients (84 males and 49 females) aged between 20-80 years. Based on age, the study group was divided into five groups with an age interval of 10 years, and the prevalence, laterality, and type of pneumatisation of the articular eminence were assessed. The obtained data were statistically analysed using the Chi-square test and McNemar’s test with a significance level of p-value

Introduction: Pneumatisation represents areas of minimal resistance, making it easier for the expansion of numerous pathological processes such as tumours, infections, or fractures into the joint. Detection of these air-filled cavities is necessary before planning surgical intervention in order to prevent complications. Aim: To assess the prevalence and characteristics of Pneumatisation of the Articular Eminence of the Temporal Bone (PAT) in the Bengaluru population. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted in the Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology at an esteemed Dental College and Hospital in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India. The study lasted for 13 months, from March 2019 to February 2020. The study included Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) images of 133 patients (84 males and 49 females) aged between 20-80 years. Based on age, the study group was divided into five groups with an age interval of 10 years, and the prevalence, laterality, and type of pneumatisation of the articular eminence were assessed. The obtained data were statistically analysed using the Chi-square test and McNemar's test with a significance level of p-value <0.05. Results: Out of the 133 CBCT images evaluated, PAT was noticed in 62 subjects, with an overall prevalence of 46.6%. The highest prevalence of pneumatisation (62.5%) was present in the age group of 61-70 years, followed by 53.8% in the 31-40 years age group. A male predilection was noted with the maximum prevalence during the sixth decade, followed by the third decade of life. There was an equal distribution in terms of laterality, and the multilocular type of pneumatisation was more common than the unilocular type. Conclusion: The prevalence of PAT was 46.6% and was predominantly seen in males compared to females. Multilocular PAT was more commonly seen than unilocular PAT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The varying pneumatisation patterns of the frontal sinus (FS) can be utilised in the forensic identification of human remains. This study aimed at determining the pneumatisation patterns of the FS of adult Nigerians. Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional retrospective study was carried out at the radiology department of a tertiary hospital in Nigeria following ethical approval. Brain computed tomography images of 336 patients (199 males and 137 females) aged ≥20 years were utilised. Images with facial and sinonasal pathologies were excluded from this study. The FS was evaluated and classified as either absent, bilateral or triple. The existence of complete or partial septa was noted, and the roof was categorised as either smooth or scalloped. Data were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 23. The frequencies of each variant were presented in percentages. A Chi-square test was used to evaluate gender differences. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Bilateral FS was seen in 244 (72.6%) patients. This was followed by triple FS (48, 14.3%) and aplasia (44, 13.1%). The prevalence of partial septa was 197 (58.6%), with a significantly higher prevalence in males (149, 74.9%) than in females (48, 35.0%) (P = 0.017). The scalloped roof of the FS was more frequent (226, 67.3%) than the smooth FS roof (110, 32.7%), although both showed statistically significant gender differences (P = 0.021, 0.028). Conclusion: The scalloped roof and partial septa of the FS showed sexual dimorphism. Hence, their accuracy in sex prediction may be explored in our population.

Aims and Objectives: The aim of this prospective clinical study was to evaluate the success of one-stage direct (lateral) sinus lift procedure in severely atrophic posterior maxilla. Materials and Methods: One-stage direct (lateral) sinus lift procedure was carried out at 15 sites in 13 patients. All patients included in the study presented with partially edentulous posterior maxilla with one or more missing teeth and residual bone height less than 5 mm. Three months after surgery, patients were evaluated to access increase in residual bone height, density of new bone formed and implant stability. Patients were also evaluated after 3 months of prosthetic placement for the success of implant-supported prosthesis. Results: At 3 months post-operatively, increase in residual bone height was 8.31 ± 1.63 mm and the mean density of the newly formed bone around the implants was 417 ± 66.61 HU. All implants were stable and successfully osseointegrated, except one implant that was lost. The success rate of implant stability was 96.3% during the study period. Conclusion: Single-stage direct (lateral) maxillary sinus floor augmentation is a good treatment option with predictable outcome for patients with deficient alveolar bone in posterior maxilla.

Introduction: The sphenoid sinus is considered to be morphologically one of the most variable structures in the human body. Aim: The aim of this study was to analyse the variants of pneumatisation of sphenoid bone and to determine differences in relation to the gender and body side in the population of Vojvodina. Material and methods: This retrospective study included 60 patients (30 males and 30 females), mean age 39.92 years, who underwent a CT scan of paranasal sinuses in the Center of Radiology, Clinical Center of Vojvodina, Novi Sad. The total number of analysed sinuses was 120. The CT scan images were presented in coronal, sagittal and axial planes. The types and the extensions of sinus were analysed. Results: The most common type of the sphenoid sinus was sellar (83.33%), followed by presellar (15.83%). The conchal type was found in only one case (0.83%). The most frequent subtype of the posterior extension in males was subdorsal (48%) and in females subtype body (42%). The presence of both lateral and anterior extensions was found in 18.33% cases, only lateral extension in 45% cases and only anterior in 10%. Conclusion: The most common type of sphenoid sinus was sellar, while the conchal type was the rarest one. The most frequent subtype was subdorsal in males and subtype body in females. The lateral extension was observed more often in comparison to the anterior extension.

Aims and Objectives: The aim of this prospective clinical study was to evaluate the success of one-stage direct (lateral) sinus lift procedure in severely atrophic posterior maxilla.Materials and Methods: One-stage direct (lateral) sinus lift procedure was carried out at 15 sites in 13 patients. All patients included in the study presented with partially edentulous posterior maxilla with one or more missing teeth and residual bone height less than 5 mm. Three months after surgery, patients were evaluated to access increase in residual bone height, density of new bone formed and implant stability. Patients were also evaluated after 3 months of prosthetic placement for the success of implant-supported prosthesis.Results: At 3 months post-operatively, increase in residual bone height was 8.31 ± 1.63 mm and the mean density of the newly formed bone around the implants was 417 ± 66.61 HU. All implants were stable and successfully osseointegrated, except one implant that was lost. The success rate of implant stability was 96.3% during the study period.Conclusion: Single-stage direct (lateral) maxillary sinus floor augmentation is a good treatment option with predictable outcome for patients with deficient alveolar bone in posterior maxilla. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pneumatisation of the inferior turbinate (PIT) is a rare abnormality of the paranasal sinus. It is very difficult to differentiate from the hypertrophia of the inferior turbinate clinically. Thus, it is important to be considered, especially in cases with no response to medical treatments. We aimed to investigate the presence and the frequency of PIT by computed tomography (CT).Materials and Methods: A total of 2905 cases (1381 female, 1524 male) with an age range between 16 and 84 were included.Results: The pneumatisation of the inferior turbinate was observed in 1.72% of the cases with a percentage of 1.88% in women and 1.57% in men. In PIT (+) cases the bilaterality was found in 54% of them. According to the subtypes, 70% was lamellar, 28% was bullous and 2% was extensive. No statistically significant difference was found for age distribution. The most commonly associated variations were the pneumatisation of the middle and upper turbinate and the septal deviation.Conclusions: The pneumatisation of the inferior turbinate is a rare variation with a similar frequency among men and women. It is diagnosed by CT and when symptomatic, the optimal treatment is surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Assessment of sphenoid sinus (SS), posterior clinoid process (PCP), and dorsum sellae (DS) pneumatisation is significant when planning surgical approaches both to intra- and extrasellar pathologies. The authors analysed pneumatisation of the SS, with particular attention paid to pneumatisation of the PCP and DS. Material and methods: The study was based on 100 computed tomography angiography examinations. SS, PCP, and DS pneumatisation grades were assessed using the classification system proposed by Hardy. The analyses were conducted in sagittal planes: midline plane (MP), sagittal posterior clinoid plane right (SPCP-R), and sagittal posterior clinoid plane left (SPCP-L). The occurrence of the highest pneumatisation grade (IVB according to Hardy), which encompasses DS and PCP, prompted the authors to conduct a further analysis in the coronal plane. In this way, seven DS and PCP pneumatisation symmetry types were identified. Results: In the MP and SPCP-R, the most frequent pneumatisation grade was grade III (41% and 38%, respectively). In the SPCP-L, grade IVA prevailed (41%). Grade IVB was found in 12% of the SPCP-R images, 10% of the SPCP-L images, and in 12% of the MP images. Consistent pneumatisation grades in all analysed planes were found for 64% of cases. This was usually grade III noted in 28% of cases. Conclusions: SS pneumatisation is characterised by considerable individual variability. There are a number of SS pneumatisation classification systems, but the system proposed by Hardy is the most useful for assessment of DS and PCP pneumatisation. Grade III of SS pneumatisation is the most common. Pneumatisation encompassing DS and PCP was found in 10-12% of cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The anterior clinoid process (ACP) is usually removed during surgical procedures of the cellar region. The ACP may be different length and width in people; it may be also pneumatic. Therefore, we aimed to determine dimensions and rates of pneumatisation of the ACP in the large study group with clinically importance.Materials and Methods: One thousand and thirty-one (592 female, 439 male) cranial computed tomography (CT) of the middle Anatolian population was used in this study. The length and basal width of the ACP were measured on the cranial CT. Also; incidence and degree of ACP pneumatisation were identified.Results: The width of the right and left ACPs in females were 10.80 ± 2.27 mm and 10.53 ± 2.07 mm, respectively. The width of the right and left ACPs in males were 11.08 ± 2.39 mm and 10.98 ± 2.35 mm, respectively. The length of the right and left ACPs in females were 8.32 ± 2.40 mm and 8.34 ± 2.35 mm, respectively. The length of the right and left ACPs in males were 8.87 ± 2.62 mm and 8.93 ± 2.64 mm, respectively. There was statistically significant difference between males and females in ACP dimensions, except for the width of the right ACP. Pneumatisation of the ACP was observed on the right side in 46 (9.3%) cases, on the left side in 53 (10.6%) cases, and bilaterally in 32 (6.5%) cases. Incidence of pneumatisation of the ACP was decreased in the age group of 1 month to 20 years. While the incidence of bilateral pneumatisation of the ACP was higher in individuals aged 21-40.Conclusions: Radiologically recognising pneumatisation and anatomical variations of the ACP may be helpful in decreasing the incidence of surgical complications during anterior clinoidectomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The giant extinct marsupial Diprotodon optatum has unusual skull morphology for an animal of its size, consisting of very thin bone and large cranial sinuses that occupy most of the internal cranial space. The function of these sinuses is unknown as there are no living marsupial analogues. The finite element method was applied to identify areas of high and low stress, and estimate the bite force of Diprotodon to test hypotheses on the function of the extensive cranial sinuses. Detailed three-dimensional models of the cranium, mandible and jaw adductor muscles were produced. In addition, manipulations to the Diprotodon cranial model were performed to investigate changes in skull and sinus structure, including a model with no sinuses (sinuses 'filled' with bone) and a model with a midsagittal crest. Results indicate that the cranial sinuses in Diprotodon significantly lighten the skull while still providing structural support, a high bite force and low stress, indicating the cranium may have been able to withstand higher loads than those generated during feeding. Data from this study support the hypothesis that pneumatisation is driven by biomechanical loads and occurs in areas of low stress. The presence of sinuses is likely to be a byproduct of the separation of the outer surface of the skull from the braincase due to the demands of soft tissue including the brain and the large jaw adductor musculature, especially the temporalis. In very large species, such as Diprotodon, this separation is more pronounced, resulting in extensive cranial sinuses due to a relatively small brain compared with the size of the skull. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was designed (1) to study the prevalence of pneumatisation of the superior turbinate in patients undergoing FESS, (2) to evaluate the role of superior turbinate pneumatisation in sinusitis involving the posterior sinuses. The study involved 50 patients being evaluated for FESS. Pre-operative CT scans were done and reviewed by a single observer with specific attention to superior turbinates. Record was also made for opacification/mucosal thickness of the sinuses. Each side of nasal cavity was examined separately. Therefore 50 patients had 100 sides. Of the 100 sides, superior turbinate was identified in 70 sides on CT scan. Of the 70 sides having an identifiable superior turbinate, 18.6 % i.e. thirteen sides had turbinates which were pneumatised. Pneumatised superior turbinates were seen in higher percentage in patients with diseased posterior sinuses. Pneumatised superior turbinate may contribute to posterior sinus disease and mandates attention during FESS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]