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- MakaleYayıncıda açık erişim2026Scopus SJRQ2Evaluation of the pterygoid process pneumatization and sclerosis with Vidian canal morphology using computed tomography: a comparative study in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients and healthy controls
Medişoğlu, Mahmut Sabri; Öçbe, Melisa
BACKGROUND: To evaluate the morphological characteristics of the pterygoid process - including pneumatization and sclerosis - alongside vidian canal (VC) type and length in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) compared to healthy controls using computed tomography (CT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 200 subjects, comprising 38 patients with histopathologically confirmed NPC and 162 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. All CT scans were acquired using a standardized protocol with thin-slice axial images and multiplanar reconstructions. Evaluated features included pterygoid process pneumatization and sclerosis, VC type (classified as Type 1-3), and VC length bilaterally. RESULTS: Pterygoid process pneumatization showed no statistically significant difference between the NPC and control groups (right: 21.1% vs 24.7%, p = 0.794; left: 21.1% vs 18.5%, p = 0.898). In contrast, right-sided pterygoid plate sclerosis was significantly more frequent in NPC patients (68.4%) than in controls (4.9%) (p < 0.005). Significant differences in VC types were found between groups. Type 3 canals were more common in NPC patients (right: 39.5%, left: 39.5%) than in controls (right: 21.0%, left: 23.5%), while Type 2 was reduced in the NPC group (right and left: 15.8%) vs controls (right: 33.3%, left: 34.6%); significant for both sides (right: p = 0.024; left: p = 0.038). VC length was also significantly greater in the NPC group (right: 14.18 mm; left: 13.08 mm) compared to controls (right: 12.25 mm; left: 12.35 mm). The VC length positively correlated with age (right: r = 0.267; left: r = 0.339). CONCLUSIONS: Sclerosis of the right pterygoid plate and an increased prevalence of Type 3 VCs were significantly associated with NPC. Anatomical variations in VC type and length may have diagnostic implications in radiological interpretation and radiotherapy planning in NPC patients.
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İncele - MakaleAçık Erişim2026Scopus SJRQ2Morphologic variations of the sigmoid sinus on computed tomography: a classification-based study
Medişoğlu, Mahmut Sabri; Öçbe, Melisa
Purpose: The sigmoid sinus is a vital dural venous structure whose anatomical variability has direct implications for lateral skull base and otologic surgeries. Understanding the sinus’s positional variations is considered important for minimizing surgical risks. This study aimed to evaluate the morphological classification of the sigmoid sinus using a surgical reference-based system and to assess its relationship with demographic variables. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on high-resolution temporal bone CT scans of 241 patients (114 females [47.30%], 127 males [52.70%]) with an age range of 18–92 years (mean age: 47.95 ± 17.84). The morphology of the sigmoid sinus was classified into four types based on the system defined by Dong-Il Sun et al., using three anatomical reference lines. The width and depth of the sigmoid sinus were measured bilaterally and analyzed in relation to age and gender. Statistical analysis included paired tests for bilateral measurements, chi-square tests and ordinal logistic regression for associations with age and sex, and reliability assessment using Cohen’s kappa and intraclass correlation coefficients. Results: A total of 241 patients were included. Mean sigmoid sinus depth and width were 6.57 ± 1.73 mm and 14.55 ± 4.06 mm on the right, and 6.33 ± 1.52 mm and 15.18 ± 4.93 mm on the left, respectively. Left-sided width was significantly greater than the right (p < 0.05), whereas depth did not differ. Type 3 and Type 4 configurations predominated bilaterally; Type 1 was not observed. Age was significantly associated with left-sided sigmoid sinus type (p = 0.0048), with more medial configurations in older individuals. Ordinal regression showed decreasing odds of higher-type anatomy with increasing age (OR = 0.84 per decade). Gender was associated with left-sided type distribution but not independently predictive after adjustment. Inter- and intraobserver reliability was excellent. Conclusion: The positional morphology of the sigmoid sinus varies significantly with age and gender. The absence of Type 1 and predominance of high-risk configurations in younger individuals suggests the potential relevance of individualized preoperative assessment. This classification system may provide additional anatomical insight for radiologic evaluation; however, its direct impact on surgical decision-making requires further validation.
- MakaleAçık Erişim2025Scopus SJRQ2Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Submental and Masticatory Muscle Morphology and Its Relationship with Temporomandibular Joint Structures
Öçbe, Melisa; Medişoğlu, Mahmut Sabri
Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate the submental and masticatory muscles in patients of different age groups using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) methods, and investigate potential associations between muscle morphology, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) structures, and disc displacement. Materials and Methods: A total of 185 MRI scans were retrospectively analyzed to assess the thickness of the digastric, geniohyoid, mylohyoid, medial pterygoid, masseter, and lateral pterygoid muscles bilaterally. TMJ hard tissue changes were classified using computed tomography (CT). Correlations between muscle thickness and TMJ structures were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficients, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Results: The study population included 110 females and 75 males, with a mean age of 50.08 ± 20.15 years. The largest age group was 51–75 years (41%), followed by 18–35 years (28%). Significant correlations were observed between muscle thickness and TMJ structures as follows: Right digastric muscle showed a significant association with right disc–condyle position (p = 0.02). Right mylohyoid muscle exhibited a strong correlation with right disc–condyle position (p = 0.004). Left medial pterygoid muscle was significantly correlated with left condyle pathology (p = 0.02). Left masseter muscle showed a significant correlation with left condyle pathology (p = 0.014). Condylar flattening was the most frequent pathology, observed in 58% of right condyles and 53% of left condyles. Disc displacement was present in 41% of right TMJs and 34% of left TMJs. Conclusions: This study highlights the important associations between masticatory and submental muscle morphology and TMJ structures, suggesting that muscle function may play a role in condylar positioning and disc alignment. These findings emphasize the need for comprehensive muscle evaluation in TMJ disorder (TMD) diagnosis and treatment planning.
AtıfScopus2WoS2OpenAlex2İncele - MakaleYalnız künye2025Scopus SJRQ2Multimodal Imaging of the Nasopalatine Canal: Morphometric Characteristics and Signal Intensity Assessment
Öçbe, Melisa; Medişoğlu, Mahmut Sabri
Objective: – The nasopalatine canal (NPC) is an essential anatomical structure in the anterior maxilla, linking the nasal and oral cavities. Its morphology is critical for oral surgery, anesthesia, and implant planning. This study aimed to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the NPC by combining computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to assess canal morphology and signal characteristics. Methods: – A total of 346 CT and MRI images from patients aged 18 years and older (173 males, 173 females; mean age 53.35 ± 19.8 y) were analyzed. Axial and coronal MRI and sagittal CT sections were evaluated for canal shape, number, length, and signal intensity. Results: – The mean lengths of the incisive and nasopalatine foramina were found as 6.66 ± 2.2 mm and 3.2 ± 1.5 mm, respectively. Axial canal shapes were predominantly round or oval (63.01%), while 47.69% exhibited a Y-shaped configuration in the coronal plane. Anterior tooth loss was present in 39.5% of patients and was significantly associated with changes in foramen dimensions (P < 0.001). The mean FLAIR T2 MRI signal intensities for the incisive and nasopalatine foramina were 643.64 ± 246.38 and 585.46 ± 214.27, respectively. Diagnostic thresholds for normal signal intensity were calculated as 1.136 for the incisive foramen and 1.013 for the nasopalatine foramen. Conclusions: – These findings suggest that FLAIR T2 MRI signal intensity may serve as a diagnostic marker for NPC assessment. Furthermore, anterior tooth loss appears to influence the dimensions of the incisive foramen. Future studies should validate these MRI thresholds and explore longitudinal changes in NPC morphology.
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