ID | 113564 |
Title Alternative | CT imaging of nasopharyngeal and eustachian tube tonsilloliths
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Author |
Takahashi, Akira
Tokushima University
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Akita, Kazuya
Tokushima University
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Kamada, Kumiko
Tokushima University
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Kudoh, Keiko
Tokushima University
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Keywords | nasopharynx
eustachian tube
tonsil
calculi
computed tomography
X-Ray
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Content Type |
Journal Article
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Description | Objectives: Nasopharyngeal tonsilloliths (NT) and eustachian tube tonsilloliths (ET) are not as well-known to radiologists as palatine and lingual tonsilloliths. The aim of this investigation was to determine the prevalence and imaging characteristics of NT and ET using CT and panoramic radiographs.
Methods: We retrospectively assessed the scans of 2244 patients who underwent consecutive CT and panoramic radiographs of the maxillofacial region. The prevalence, size, number, and position of NT and ET were analysed. Results: NT and ET were detected in 14 (0.6%) and 6 (0.3%) of 2244 patients on CT, respectively, but they were undetectable on panoramic radiographs. No significant difference was found in the prevalence with respect to sex. Although there was also no significant difference in the prevalence among age groups, tonsilloliths were most commonly noted in patients over 40 years old; they appeared as small and round calcified bodies, ranging from 1 to 3 mm in diameter. All NT were found 0 to 3 mm beneath the nasopharyngeal mucosal surface. Conclusions: The prevalence of NT and ET on CT was lower than that of palatine and lingual tonsilloliths. However, since they are encountered more frequently than clinically significant calcifying diseases such as retropharyngeal calcific tendinitis, clinicians should be able to correctly diagnose NT and ET based on their anatomical features. |
Journal Title |
Dentomaxillofacial Radiology
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ISSN | 0250832X
1476542X
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NCID | AA00625627
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Publisher | British Institute of Radiology
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Volume | 47
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Issue | 7
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Start Page | 20180052
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Published Date | 2018-05-10
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EDB ID | |
DOI (Published Version) | |
URL ( Publisher's Version ) | |
FullText File | |
language |
eng
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TextVersion |
Publisher
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departments |
University Hospital
Oral Sciences
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