[Pneumatisation of the temporal articular eminence: radiographic study in a Senegalese population]

Pneumatisation of the zygomatic air cell defect (ZACD) is a rarely seen anatomical variation, a chance discovery but relevant in the planning of temporomandibular joint surgery. The objective of this work was to study the presence and radiographic aspects of pneumatization of the zygomatic process of the temporal bone in a Senegalese population.

The study was a descriptive cross-sectional study of 444 panoramic radiographs of Senegalese patients in an age range from 5 to 86 years. The presence of ZACDs was confirmed by the presence of a clear radio image at the level of the eminence articulaire de los temporal, they were classified into unilocular, multilocular and trabecular types.

A prevalence of 7.8% was noted. The multilocular aspect was the most common with 54.3%, followed by the unilocular aspect with 40%. The ZACDs were in 54.3% bilateral and 45.7% in unilateral localization.

This work highlighted this rare and fortuitous anatomical variation of discovery during a panoramic radiological examination in a Senegalese population. Further longitudinal studies are necessary for a better understanding of the pneumatization of the eminence of the joint in the diagnostic and therapeutic process involving the temporomandibular joint.