Abstract
Objective: to evaluate the prevalence of calcifications in the soft tissues of the cervical-facial region using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images. Material and Methods: two hundred and ten CBCT exames was analyzed by 01 examiner previously trained, with fild of view (FOV) of 16 x 13 cm and voxel of 0.25 mm, in ICAT Vision software (Imaging Science International, Hatfield, PA, USA) in coronal, axial and sagittal sections. The following calcifications were evaluated: tonsiloliths, sialolites, calcification of the styloid complex, calcified carotid atheromas, calcifications in laryngeal cartilages, calcified lymph nodes and osteoma cutis. The findings were tabulated according to the total of the sample, related to the gender, age group of the individuals. Results: Calcification of the styloid complex was the most frequent in the sample studied in both genres (39.04%), followed by the presence of tonsiloliths (19.52%), and calcified lymph nodes (6,67%). Conclusion: calcifications are frequent radiographic findings in CBCT and important for the diagnosis of some possible pathologies that do not present clinical symptoms.KEYWORDSCone-beam computed tomography; Prevalence; Soft tissue calcification.
Highlights
Calcification is a biochemical phenomenon, characterized by the deposition of calcium salts, mainly calcium phosphate, in a certain region of the organism [1,2,3]
Soft tissue calcifications in the head and neck region are usually incidental radiographic findings and with the advent of concomitant Cone BeamComputed Tomography (CBCT), they are more frequently encountered, since it consists of a diagnostic imaging method which allows the visualization of structures in three planes, accurately identifying and becoming an indication for diagnosis [4,5,6]
The present study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of the following calcifications in soft tissues, tonsiloliths, sialolites, calcification of the styloid complex, calcified carotid atheromas, calcifications in laryngeal cartilages, osteoma cutis and calcified lymph nodes, using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images
Summary
Calcification is a biochemical phenomenon, characterized by the deposition of calcium salts, mainly calcium phosphate, in a certain region of the organism [1,2,3]. When it occurs disorganized in soft tissues, it is referred to as heterotopic calcification, which can be divided into three: dystrophic, idiopathic and metastatic [1,2]. The analysis of CBCT location requires knowledge of the soft tissue anatomy involved, such as the position of lymph nodes, styloid ligaments, blood vessels, cartilages of the larynx and major ducts of the salivary glands. Some soft tissue calcifications do not require any intervention or long-term follow-up, while others may pose a threat to life and their main cause must be treated. [7,8,9]
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