Evaluation of Mandibular Trabecular Microarchitecture in Stafne Bone Cavity: A Pilot Study

Area of Science:

• Dentistry
• Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Stafne bone cavities (SBCs) are common findings in the mandible.
• The etiology and developmental process of SBCs remain incompletely understood.
• Trabecular microarchitecture may play a role in bone cavity formation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between mandibular trabecular microarchitecture, quantified by fractal dimension (FD), and the development of Stafne bone cavities (SBCs).
• To determine if alterations in bone structure precede or accompany SBC formation.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of 2500 cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images to identify SBCs.
• Formation of an SBC group and a control group based on panoramic radiographs.
• Fractal dimension (FD) analysis using ImageJ software on panoramic radiographs of both groups.
• Statistical analysis including post hoc power analysis and Cohen's effect size calculation.

Main Results:

• No statistically significant difference in mean FD was found between the SBC and control groups (p > 0.05).
• Mean FD values were slightly lower in SBC regions compared to other mandibular areas.
• Effect size analysis revealed negligible differences in posterior regions but a large effect size in the canine-lateral region.

Conclusions:

• Stafne bone cavities (SBCs) do not appear to disrupt the surrounding mandibular trabecular bone structure.
• The findings support the hypothesis that SBCs are static formations.
• Further research may elucidate the localized structural trends observed in specific mandibular regions.