Abstract
Background: Cone-beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) scans obtained with larger field of view let us see various incidental findings, anatomical variations and pathologies, like intracranial and soft tissue calcifications.
Objective: The purpose of this retrospective study was to determine the prevalence of intracranial and soft tissue calcifications via CBCT.
Methods: Full volume (maxillofacial region) scans of 290 patients achieved for various reasons were investigated by blinded two dentomaxillofacial radiologists. Demographic data of the patients were saved. The findings were categorized and statistically analyzed with descriptive statistics, crosstabs and chi-square tests.
Results: Totally 290 patients aged between 24 and 81 years old (mean age ± standard deviation: 49±14) consisting of 155 females (53.4%) and 135 males (46.6%) were examined in the study. The most common calcifications were pineal gland calcification (64.5%), followed by tonsillolith (34.1%), petroclinoid ligament calcification (33.4%), Intracranial Internal Carotid Artery Calcifications (IICAC) (18.3%), Extracranial Internal Carotid Artery Calcifications (EICAC) (8.3%) and the others (1.7%, equally sialolith, antrolith and choroid plexus calcification), respectively.
Conclusion: Tonsillolith, EICAC and IICAC showed an increase with age. EICAC was seen more in females, conversely petroclinoid ligament calcification was seen more in males. There was a statistically significant correlation between EICAC and IICAC.
Keywords: Soft tissue calcification, intracranial calcification, CBCT, dentomaxillofacial, patients, pineal gland.
Graphical Abstract
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