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Dentomaxillofacial Radiology (2006) 35, 191-199
© 2006 British Institute of Radiology
doi: 10.1259/dmfr/12056500

RESEARCH

Clinical significance and variation of the advanced calcified stylohyoid complex detected by panoramic radiographs among 80-year-old subjects

S Okabe1, Y Morimoto*,1, T Ansai2, K Yamada3, T Tanaka1, S Awano2, S Kito1, Y Takata2, T Takehara2 and T Ohba1

1 Department of Oral Diagnostic Science, Kyushu Dental College, Kitakyushu, Japan; 2 Department of Health Promotion, Kyushu Dental College, Kitakyushu, Japan; 3 Division of Orthodontics, Department of Oral Biological Science, Section for Oral Life Science, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan

*Correspondence to: Yasuhiro Morimoto, DDS, PhD, Division of Diagnostic Radiology, Department of Oral Diagnostic Science, Kyushu Dental College, 2-6-1 Manazuru, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu 803-8580, Japan;; Email: rad-mori{at}kyu-dent.ac.jp

Received 13 June 2005; revised 20 August 2005; accepted 11 September 2005

Objectives: To evaluate the clinical significance and variation of a calcified stylohyoid complex associated with advanced calcification as detected on panoramic radiographs among 80-year-old subjects.

Methods: Panoramic radiographs of 659 patients (262 men and 397 women) and data of their general and dental health conditions were used for the evaluation of the relationship between a calcified stylohyoid complex and general health among 80-year-olds. This study was part of the 8020 Data Bank Survey, which was designed to collect the baseline data of general and dental health conditions in 80-year-old subjects. The morphology of the calcified stylohyoid complexes was allocated to one of 12 patterns. The lengths of the calcified stylohyoid complex were measured directly on the radiographs from the caudal margin of the tympanic plate to the tip of the styloid process.

Results: All of the stylohyoid complexes from the 659 panoramic radiographs could be allocated to one of 12 morphological patterns, and some of their radiographic findings suggested calcification of the carotid artery and lymph nodes. In 80-year-old subjects, the average length of the calcified stylohyoid complexes was 36.7 mm, and ranged from 0.0 mm to 153.0 mm. There appeared to be correlations between the length of the calcified stylohyoid complex and serum calcium concentration and heel bone density, but not with the Community Periodontal Index (CPI).

Conclusions: Dentists should recognize the existence of morphological variation in calcified stylohyoid complexes, especially in length, apparent on panoramic radiographs of 80-year-old patients. In addition, the longer length of the calcified stylohyoid complexes in 80-year-old patients may be a predictor of bone density and high serum calcium concentration level. The findings from the present study may provide potentially life-saving information about elderly people.

Keywords: calcification; styloid process; panoramic radiography; stylohyoid complex; serum calcium concentration; bone density






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