Prevalence of Pneumatization of the Articular Eminence of the Temporal Bone on Cone-Beam Computed Tomography Scans

TAll parts of the temporal bone might be pneumatized by mastoid air cells. The aim of this study was to determine of the prevalence of pneumatized articular eminence of the temporal bone on CBCT scans.
In this descriptive analytical study, 150 CBCT scans were evaluated for the presence or absence of pneumatization of articular eminence and other data such as age, sex and the involved side for each case were recorded in special datasheets. Data were analyzed with SPSS 20, using chi-squared test.
Pneumatized articular eminence (PAT) was observed in 9 cases (6%). The prevalence of PAT in males was 33.3%, with 66.7% in females, with no statistically significant differences. Unilateral involvement was more prevalent than the bilateral form. In seven patients (77.8%) PAT was multilocular, and two patients (22.2%) with PAT exhibited unilocular form on the scans.
Prevalence of PAT is higher than what has been reported to date; it has been reported less frequently due to the absence of clinical symptoms and signs.