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Updated: Jun 17, 2026

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A Morphometric and Cellular Analysis Method for the Murine Mandibular Condyle
Published on: January 11, 2018
Unilateral condylar hyperactivity: a histopathologic analysis of 47 patients
Carrol P Saridin1, Pieter G H M Raijmakers, Piet J Slootweg
1Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Oral Pathology, VU University Medical Center/Academic Center of Dentistry, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. cp.saridin@vumc.nl
Summary
Histopathologic analysis of resected condyles for unilateral condylar hyperactivity revealed no significant correlation with bone scan activity. These findings suggest bone scintigraphy is not a reliable indicator for condylar growth assessment.
Area of Science:
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
- Orthodontics
- Histopathology
Background:
- Unilateral condylar hyperactivity (UCH) is a condition affecting facial growth.
- Histopathologic examination and bone scintigraphy are used to assess condylar activity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To histopathologically analyze condyles resected for UCH.
- To compare histopathologic findings with single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) bone scan results.
Main Methods:
- Histopathologic analysis of 47 resected condyles.
- Assessment of cartilage islands and thickness using a standardized scoring system.
- SPECT bone scans analyzed for bone activity differences in 29 cases.
Main Results:
- High variability in cartilage island presence and cartilage layer thickness.
- No significant relationship found between cartilage islands and SPECT bone activity (P = .11).
- No significant relationship found between cartilage thickness and SPECT bone activity (P = .82).
Conclusions:
- Condylar growth in UCH can occur without abundant cartilage.
- SPECT bone activity does not correlate with histopathologic findings.
- Histopathology is essential for diagnosis but not a reference standard for UCH activity; it should be performed to rule out other pathologies.

