Morphology of root canals in adult premolar teeth

The aim of the present study was to examine the morphology of root canals in premolar teeth with completely formed root apices. The material consisted of 139 extracted premolar teeth, including 83 first premolars (59.7%) and 56 second premolars (40.3%). Maxillary teeth made up 64% of the material and mandibular teeth 36%. In order to measure the actual root canal length an endodontic instrument was inserted into the root canal (in teeth with a single root canal this was instrument no. 25 and in teeth with two or three root canals no. 20) until its tip was visible in the anatomical foramen. The silicone limit was fixed at a reference point on the dental crown, and after removal of the instrument the real length was read using an endodontic ruler. The results were presented using descriptive statistical measures (mean, maximum, minimum, median value and quartiles). In order to compare mean values of root canal lengths the z test was used. Of the first maxillary premolars, 91% had two root canals and 9% had three root canals. As far as the second upper premolars are concerned, 14.7% were teeth with single root canals while as many as 85.3% were teeth with two root canals. The majority of the first lower premolars (89.3%) had one root canal and 10.7% of these teeth had two root canals. Most of the second lower premolars (68.2%) had a single root canal, while the remaining 31.8% had two root canals. None of the mandibular premolars examined had three root canals

Panoramic radiomorphometric parameters in Polish patients

Panoramic radiographs are frequently applied in dental radiodiagnostics and might serve as a tool for identification of a subject’s bone mass. Only in a few publications can data on men, younger subjects and larger groups of patients be found. No such data are available for the Polish population; therefore, the aim of the study was to determine normal ranges of panoramic radiomorphometric parameters and examine the influence of gender and age on them. The material consisted of 877 digital panoramic radiographs taken in patients aged 20 to 95 years (mean 48.69 years), including 467 females and 410 males. Panoramic parameters such as mandibular height (H) and distance between inferior margin of mental foramen and inferior mandibular cortex (h), which are used for calculation of panoramic radiomorphometric indices, were estimated and the obtained results were subjected to statistical analysis. Gender influenced H and h, while it was found that H was age-dependent and h values were similar in all age groups. When age and gender were discussed simultaneously, the highest values of H were observed in the age group 30–39 years in both genders, followed by a gradual decrease with age. However, in females this decrease was more intense than in males. The elaborated norms of panoramic radiomorphometric parameters and indices in the Polish patients may serve as a source of comparison for radiological and clinical applications. (Folia Morphol 2011; 70, 3: 168–174

Mandibular inferior cortex width may serve as a prognostic osteoporosis index in Polish patients

Background: Panoramic radiographs are increasingly considered as a screening tool in the search for osteopaenia and osteoporosis. No information on normal ranges of radiographic parameters of the inferior cortex (IC) in Polish population has been found in literature; therefore, the objective of the study was to determine normal ranges of mandibular inferior cortex width on panoramic radiographs and to examine the influence of gender and age on these parameters. Material and methods: The material consisted of 877 digital panoramic radiographs taken of patients aged 20 to 95 years (mean 48.69 years), including 467 females and 410 males. Mandibular inferior cortex width at the mental foramina was estimated, and the obtained results were subjected to statistical analysis. Results: It was found that IC and mental index (MI) values in the studied group of Polish patients depended on age. As far as gender is considered, IC and MI were higher in males. When age and gender were discussed simultaneously, the highest values of IC and MI were observed in age group 30–39 years in both genders, followed by a gradual decrease with age, but this decrease was more pronounced in females. Conclusions: The elaborated norms of panoramic radiomorphometric parameters in Polish patients may serve as a source of comparison for radiological and clinical applications. (Folia Morphol 2011; 70, 4: 272–281

Radiographic appearance and clinical implications of the presence of radix entomolaris and radix paramolaris

Background: The variation in mandibular molars’ anatomy is not as rare as it might appear to be. Depending on the location of the additional root found in a mandibular molar, it may be referred to as either radix entomolaris (RE) or radix paramolaris (RP). The aim of the study was to present radiographic appearance of RE and RP and indicate the clinical implications of its presence. Materials and methods: The material consisted of 3,000 panoramic and 300 periapical radiographs of first and second mandibular molars taken in the Department of Dental and Maxillofacial Radiodiagnostics of the Medical University in Lublin which were screened for RE and RP. Results: Among panoramic and periapical radiographs only 14 cases of additional roots were found: 11 teeth with RE/RP in the Polish population and 3 in Taiwanese. Only 2 panoramic radiographs revealed the presence of RE and surprisingly the occurrence was bilateral. Conclusions: Dentists should not be taken by surprise at finding an additional root in mandibular molars. They should be aware of the anatomical diversity of these teeth and know how to recognise possible extra roots during radiograph reading.

Early postnatal development of the lumbar vertebrae in male Wistar rats: double staining and digital radiological studies

The aim of the study was to evaluate the physiological developmental changes of male rats’ lumbar vertebrae during the first 22 days after birth. Morphology and mineralisation of lumbar vertebrae were evaluated using double-staining and digital radiography system, which allowed vertebral width and optical density to be determined. Pup weight, crown-rump length, body mass index and vertebral width increased during postnatal period and significantly correlated with their age. Bone mineralisation, as measured by optical density, did not show any significant differences. The complete fusion of the primary ossification centres had a cranio- -caudal direction and started on day 19 after parturition but was incomplete by day 22. It could be concluded that, unlike significant age-related increase of vertebral size, mineralisation was only slightly elevated during evaluated postnatal period. The method described is supplementary to alizarin red S staining as it provides both qualitative and quantitative data on mineralisation in a similar manner to micro computed tomography but does not allow 3 dimensional and microarchitecture examination

Anatomical classification of the shape and topography of the operated stomach

The aim of the study was to present the classification of anatomical variances of the operated stomach, based on the radiological and historical data. Different anatomical variations of the operated organ were revealed in 431 out of 2034 patients examined in years 2006-2010. Four primary groups were established: abnormal position along longitudinal (I) and horizontal axis (II), as well as abnormal shape (III) and stomach connections (IV). An additional group (V) encloses mixed forms that connect features of two or more primary groups. The first group contains the partial and total translocation of the stomach into the thoracic cavity after the partial or total esophagectomy. Depends on the applied surgical techniques used during the total esophagectomy, the stomach could be located in the front or back to the pericardial sac. An elongated and gestrectatical form often with signs of pylorostenosis is visible in patients treated by the vagotomy. The consequences of fundoplication included: lack or narrow cardiac angle, and often mild form of the stomach cascade. The most common abnormal shape of the stomach was secondary to the gastrectomy and gastric bending. The final organ shape depends on the type of applied surgical procedure that maintains physiological connection with the duodenum or un-anatomical one, mostly with the jejunal loop. In banding, the body of the stomach forms hourglass on the level of the artificial adjustable band, typically fitted for the surgical slim purpose

Pneumatization of the articular eminence in cone beam computed tomography (CBCT): prevalence and characteristics — literature review

Background: The articular tubercle is a site prone to pneumatization within the cranial bones. Knowledge of the anatomical variations of pneumatization adjacent to the temporomandibular joint is an important issue. Air cells exhibit decreased resistance to trauma, facilitate the spread of various pathologies in the TMJ, such as inflammation, tumors or fractures. Articular tubercle pneumatization may cause complications during TMJ surgery. Information of possible location allows to detect and conduct differential diagnosis of PAT during CBCT examinations. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence and characteristics of pneumatization of the articular tubercle (PAT), with respect to age, gender, location and type through assessment in CBCT images. Materials and methods: Articles were selected through database search (PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar), in which the main objective was to assess the prevalence of articular tubercle pneumatization using CBCT. Search strategies included the following keywords: „pneumatized articular eminence” and “CBCT”, "pneumatized articular tubercle” and “CBCT" and "zygomatic air cell defect” and “CBCT".  A meta-analysis of prevalence using a random effects model was performed. Results: Fifteen studies met the selection criteria. The results showed that an overall prevalence of articular tubercle pneumatization was 25.22% (n = 6393; 95% CI 15.84 - 35.94). The occurrence of PAT in females was 25.14% (n = 3064; 95% CI 14.96 - 36.94). The frequency of PAT in males was 25.81% (n = 2671; 95% CI 15.30 - 37.99). Conclusions: There was no correlation between the frequency, location or type of PAT with age and gender