Zygomatic air cell defect: a panoramic radiographic study of a North Indian population.

AIM

The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence, radiographic appearance, and characteristics of zygomatic air cell defects (ZACD) in digital panoramic radiographs in a North Indian population.

METHODS

The dental panoramic radiographs of 800 outpatients were selected from the records of the department, and were examined retrospectively to evaluate the variations and characteristics of ZACD. Groups were compared by χ(2) analysis for the presence of ZACD.

RESULTS

ZACD were identified in 46 of 800 patients, giving an overall prevalence of 5.7%. Patients with ZACD were aged 4-60 years, with a mean age of 31.43 years. Most patients with ZACD were in their thirties. ZACD showed a no gender predilection; 29 of 46 patients were male (63.4%), and 17 were female (36.6%). Thirty cases (65.2%) of ZACD were unilateral, with 20 cases occurring on the right side. In 16 cases (34.8%), ZACD was bilateral. Forty four of the defects were unilocular, and two of the defects were multilocular.

CONCLUSION

Digital panoramic radiographs are considered better than conventional panoramic radiographs in locating ZACD. Further, the presence of ZACD might be valuable for age estimations, to some extent. Further studies are required to investigate the pneumatization of articular eminence before puberty.