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A 3D cone beam computed tomography study of the styloid process of the temporal bone
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Abstract
Background: To investigate the length and three-dimensional orientation and to detail the morphological variations of the styloid process.
Materials and methods: Forty-four patients undergoing temporal bone evaluation for different reasons were randomly selected and included in the present study. The length, angulation in the coronal and sagittal planes, as well as morphological variations of the styloid processes were assessed using conebeam computer tomography. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to test possible associations between the length of styloid process and angulations, as well as between angulations. Student’s t-test was used to compare the differences
between the sample mean length and angulations in normal and elongated styloid process groups.
Results: The sagittal angle showed weak positive correlations with the styloid process length and the transverse angle (r = 0.24, p = 0.02, n = 88). A medium positive correlation was found between the sagittal and transverse angulations in the elongated styloid process group (r = 0.49, p = 0.0015, n = 38).
There was a statistical significant difference between the mean sagittal angulation in elongated styloid and normal styloid process groups (p = 0.015). The styloid process morphology also varied in terms of shape, number, and degree of ossification.
Conclusions: The morphometric and morphologic variations of the styloid process may be important factors to be taken into account not only from the viewpoint of styloid syndromes, but also in preoperatory planning and during surgery.
Abstract
Background: To investigate the length and three-dimensional orientation and to detail the morphological variations of the styloid process.
Materials and methods: Forty-four patients undergoing temporal bone evaluation for different reasons were randomly selected and included in the present study. The length, angulation in the coronal and sagittal planes, as well as morphological variations of the styloid processes were assessed using conebeam computer tomography. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to test possible associations between the length of styloid process and angulations, as well as between angulations. Student’s t-test was used to compare the differences
between the sample mean length and angulations in normal and elongated styloid process groups.
Results: The sagittal angle showed weak positive correlations with the styloid process length and the transverse angle (r = 0.24, p = 0.02, n = 88). A medium positive correlation was found between the sagittal and transverse angulations in the elongated styloid process group (r = 0.49, p = 0.0015, n = 38).
There was a statistical significant difference between the mean sagittal angulation in elongated styloid and normal styloid process groups (p = 0.015). The styloid process morphology also varied in terms of shape, number, and degree of ossification.
Conclusions: The morphometric and morphologic variations of the styloid process may be important factors to be taken into account not only from the viewpoint of styloid syndromes, but also in preoperatory planning and during surgery.
Keywords
branchial region, cone-beam computed tomography, elongated styloid process syndrome, glossopharyngeal nerve injuries, ossification
About this articleTitle
A 3D cone beam computed tomography study of the styloid process of the temporal bone
Journal
Issue
Article type
Original article
Pages
29-35
Published online
2013-03-04
Page views
2205
Article views/downloads
3709
DOI
10.5603/FM.2013.0005
Bibliographic record
Folia Morphol 2013;72(1):29-35.
Keywords
branchial region
cone-beam computed tomography
elongated styloid process syndrome
glossopharyngeal nerve injuries
ossification
Authors
F. Andrei
A. G.M. Motoc
A. C. Didilescu
M. C. Rusu
