Evaluation of Morphologic Dimensions of Humulus Appendix of Pterygoid Plate Using Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) in Ahvazian Patients, Iran: -

TL;DR

This study uses CBCT to evaluate the shape and size of the pterygoid hamulus in Iranian patients, finding age-related changes but no gender differences.

Contribution

The study provides new morphometric data on the pterygoid hamulus using CBCT in an Iranian population.

Findings

Pterygoid hamulus length and width increase with age, then decrease.

Axial and coronal angles increase significantly in specific age groups.

No significant gender differences were observed in morphological dimensions.

Abstract

Today, CBCT has found a special place in dentistry due to the high quality
and accuracy of images and providing information, and its use is increasing.
With its help, we can examine many parts of the anatomy that are difficult
to evaluate. The purpose of this study is to investigate the morphological
dimensions of the humulus of the pterygoid appendage using cone beam
computed tomography (CBCT).

In this retrospective study, the statistical population was the imaging
reccords of patients who referred to the radiology department of Ahvaz
Dental School for CBCT of the upper jaw, whose values were stored in the NNT
software. The size of the humulus (length and width) and its slope in the
coronal and axial sections of the images were evaluated by two oral and
maxillofacial radiologists. The results were analyzed using SPSS software
version 22.

Eighty pterygoid hamuli from 38 males and 42 females (age 26–64 years, mean
43.18 ± 11.57) were analyzed. No significant gender differences were
observed in length (P=0.096), width (P=0.300), axial angle (P=0.067), or
coronal angle (P=0.102). Age-related comparisons revealed significant
variation: hamular length and width increased in the 31–40 and 51 year
groups versus 30 years (P=0.022–0.031), axial angle was higher in 31–40 and
51 year groups (P=0.003–0.006), and coronal angle increased in 31–40 and 51
year groups (P=0.047–0.049).

These findings indicate gradual morphometric changes with age, independent of
gender. The length of PH increases with age and then decreases. While the
width increases with age. There was no significant difference between length
and width measurements in men and women. These findings help to diagnose
vague pains in the oropharynx region related to the altered morphology of
PH.

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