Comparison of mastoid air cell volume in patients with or without a pneumatized articular tubercle

The aim of this study was to compare mastoid air cell volumes in patients with or without a pneumatized articular tubercle (PAT) on cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images.

The CBCT images of 224 patients were retrospectively analyzed for the presence of PAT. The Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine data of 30 patients with PAT and 30 individuals without PAT were transferred to 3D Doctor Software. Mastoid air cell volumes were measured using semi-automatic segmentation on axial sections. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20.0.

The patients with PAT and those without PAT had a mean mastoid volume of 6.31±2.86 cm³ and 3.25±1.99 cm³, respectively. There were statistically significant differences in mastoid air cell volumes between patients with and without PAT regardless of sex and mastoid air cell side (P<0.05).

The detection of PAT on routine dental radiographic examinations might be a potential prognostic factor that could be used to detect extensive pneumatization in the temporal bone. Clinicians should be aware that there may be widespread pneumatization of mastoid air cells in patients in whom PAT is detected. Advanced imaging should be performed in these cases, and possible complications due to surgical interventions should be considered.