RESUMO A hipertrofia massetérica é uma condição benigna, assintomática e rara, caracterizada pelo desenvolvimento excessivo do músculo masseter, que geralmente resulta em queixas estéticas. São sempre recomendados os exames de imagem para diagnóstico diferencial de patologias na região parotídea-massetérica. Neste trabalho objetiva-se a caracterização da imagem da hipertrofia massetérica através do relato de dois casos clínicos combinando diferentes modalidades de imagem: radiografia panorâmica, ressonância magnética, tomografia computadorizada, ultra-sonografia e volumetria 3D. Dois indivíduos do sexo masculino sem história familiar de hipertrofia massetérica foram encaminhados para um centro de diagnóstico em radiologia dentomaxilofacial devido ao aumento do volume facial bilateral na região massetérica. As imagens da radiografia panorâmica mostraram um aumento do ângulo mandibular bilateral em ambos os casos. Usando tomografia computadorizada, foi demonstrada hipertrofia muscular massetérica bilateral nos pacientes, e a varredura de ressonância magnética e ultra-sonografia foram realizadas para melhor visualização e medição. A avaliação volumétrica em 3D da musculatura mostrou-se como ferramenta adicional para avaliar o estado dos músculos masseteros em pacientes com hipertrofia massetérica. Portanto, a associação de exames de imagem permitiu realizar a caracterização da imagem da hipertrofia massetérica com presença de exostose óssea.

Abstract Masseteric hypertrophy is a benign condition, asymptomatic and rare, characterized by the excessive development of the masseter muscle, which usually results in aesthetic complaints. The imaging exams for differential diagnosis of pathologies in the parotid-masseteric region is always recommended. This work aims the imaging characterization of masseteric hypertrophy through the report of two clinical cases combining different imaging modalities: panoramic radiography, magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, ultrasonography and 3D volumetry. Two male subjects with no family history of masseteric hypertrophy were referred to a diagnostic center in dentomaxillofacial radiology due to an increase in bilateral facial volume in the masseteric region. Images of the panoramic radiography showed an increase of the bilateral mandibular angle in both cases. Using computerized tomography, bilateral masseter muscle hypertrophy was demonstrated in the patients, and magnetic resonance scan and ultrasound examination were performed for better visualization and muscle measurement. 3D volumetry assessment of musculature showed as additional tool to evaluate the status of the masseter muscles in patients with Masseteric hypertrophy. Therefore, the association of imaging examinations allowed to perform the imaging characterization of masseteric hypertrophy with presence of bone exostosis.

Abstract The aim of this study was to assess the presence, location and, multiplanar distance of the canalis sinuosus (CS) between the incisive foramen and the anterior maxillary alveolar ridge using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). Therefore, 500 CBCT maxillary images obtained from male and female patients aged 20 to 80 years were selected to assist in the dental treatment. Low-quality tomographic images were discarded. All images were captured with the i-CATTM Classic tomograph and assessed using the XoranCatTM software. The axial sections were analyzed at the incisive foramen in order to verify the CS presence in laterality and location. Furthermore, linear measurements of the nasal cavity floor, buccal cortical bone, and alveolar ridge crest were made. All the collected data were statistically analyzed. Results show a variation of the CS in relation to the classification and distance of anatomical structures, but no significant difference between the right and left sides. It should be highlighted that CBCT is necessary before invasive procedures in order to preserve important anatomical structures. In conclusion, the location of the CS varies in relation to the alveolar ridge crest and buccal cortical bone, assuming that it is going to be located by the upper lateral incisor palatine.

Morphological and topographic knowledge of the mandibular canal is of paramount importance during dental procedures in the jaw, as structures that go through this canal must be preserved. The aim of this study was to make a morphologic and morphometrical analysis of the course and relations of the mandibular canal of adult men and women, in two different age groups. The sample was composed of 300 panoramic radiographs divided into 4 groups: Groups F1 and F2: women (ranging between 18-40 years, and over 40 years of age, respectively); Groups M1 and M2:men (ranging between 18-40 years and over 40 years of age, respectively). Seven linear vertical measurements were performed in the radiographs to describe the course of the mandibular canal, and its and relations with the anatomic structures of jaw. The horizontal position of the mental foramen and relation of proximity between the mandibular canal and the roots of the mandibular teeth were also evaluated. Statistically significant differences were observed in four of the measurements between genders. There was, however, no difference between age groups for any of the measurements. The most frequent position of the mental foramen was between the roots of the mandibular pre-molars; and the mandibular canal shows a relation of proximity to the roots of the mandibular third molar, moving gradually away from the roots of the other teeth. The results suggest that the measurements related to the mandibular canal performed in this study can be influenced by the gender but are independent of age.

El conocimiento morfológico y topográfico del canal mandibular es de suma importancia durante la realización de procedimientos odontológicos en la mandíbula, pués las estructuras que lo recorren deben ser conservadas. El propósito del presente estudio fue realizar un análisis morfológico y morfométrico del curso y de las relaciones del canal mandibular en adultos hombres y mujeres, en dos grupos de edades distintas. La muestra fue comprendida por 300 radiografías panorámicas divididas en 4 grupos: Grupos F1 y F2: mujeres (con rangos entre 18 y 40 años, y con más de 40 años de edad, respectivamente); Grupos M1 y M2: hombres (con rangos entre 18 y 40 años, y con mas de 40 años de edad, respectivamente). Siete medidas lineares verticales fueron realizadas en las radiografías para describir el curso del canal mandibular, y sus relaciones con las estructuras anatómicas de la mandíbula. También fueron evaluadas la posición horizontal del foramen mentoniano y la relación de proximidad entre el canal mandibular y las raíces de las piezas dentarias mandibulares. Se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre los géneros en cuatro de las medidas tomadas. Sin embargo, no se encontró diferencia entre los grupos de edades para ninguna de las medidas. La posición más frecuente del foramen mentoniano fue entre las raíces de los premolares mandibulares; y el canal mandibular mostró una relación de proximidad con las raíces del tercer molar mandibular, alejándose gradualmente de las raíces de las demás piezas dentarias. Los resultados sugieren que las mediciones realizadas relacionadas al canal mandibular pueden ser influenciadas por el género pero son independientes de la edad.

This study aimed at investigating the effect of the partial erasing of DenOptix® system storage phosphor plates on the image quality of digital radiographs. Standardized digital radiographs were acquired of a phantom mandible, using size 2 intraoral DenOptix® storage phosphor plates (n = 10). Subsequently, the active areas of the plates were placed in a viewing box with a constant light intensity of 1,700 lux for 130 seconds to achieve complete erasing (control plate), as well as for 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 34, 66, and 98 seconds, to compose the experimental group of partially erased plates. The same exposure settings were repeated using the control and experimental plates, which were scanned at a resolution of 300 dpi. Five radiologists independently examined the pairs of digital radiographs obtained with the control and partially erased plates, in random order, and indicated the best image for oral diagnosis. Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel’s chi-square test, at a significance level of 5%, was used to compare the percentages of superior quality images in each combination of control and partially erased plates, subjectively assessed. No significant differences were found between radiographic images acquired with control and partially erased plates, except for the combination of 0 second (30%) versus 130 seconds (70%), p = 0.0047. It can be concluded that, under adequate light intensity conditions, erasing intraoral DenOptix® storage phosphor plates may require time intervals of as little as 5 seconds.