Pneumatisation des Jochbogens auf Panoramaschichtaufnahmen

BACKGROUND: The pneumatized spaces of the zygomatic arch (zygomatic air cell defect) are a clinically asymptomatic variation of the temporal bone. The empty spaces of the articular eminence and temporal bone of the zygomatic arch are depicted on radiographs as a sharply demarcated osteolytic lesion of round or oval shape. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and characteristics of the ZACD in our outpatients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We investigated the panoramic radiographs of 1,084 patients who were treated during 1 February and 31 July 2000. The mean age of the 1,084 patients was 41.9 years (SD: 17.2 years; range: 2-96): 628 patients were male (58%) and 456 female (42%). A ZACD was found in 20 of 1,084 patients (prevalence: 1.85%). The mean age of the patients with a ZACD was 43.2 years (SD: 18.4 years; range: 7-87): 11 were female (55%) and 9 male (45%).

RESULTS: A bilateral ZACD was found in 20% (four patients). Interestingly, one of these ZACD patients was a 7-year-old boy. Up to now, it had generally been accepted that pneumatization of the zygomatic arch takes place after puberty with the youngest persons with ZACD being 15 years of age. Our findings should prompt consecutive studies on the prevalence of ZACD in children. This finding can be relevant in patients treated for spreading otitis media or mastoiditis.