Prevalence, gender distribution and pattern of zygomatic air cell defects in Chhattisgarh population –an orthopantomographic study and review with importance

Introduction: Pneumatized air cells, an accessary air cells similar to the mastoid air cells, seen in the zygomatic process and articular eminence of temporal bone are termed as Zygomatic Air Cell Defects (ZACDs). Several authors have suggested the importance of these air cell as contraindication and possible complicating factor for performing surgical procedures such as eminoplasty or eminectomy as they can become potential pathways for intracranial infections and sepsis. It was also strongly emphasized that an awareness of ZACDs should be a part of our anatomical knowledge. Aim and Objectives: To study the prevalence, gender distribution, pattern of occurrence, and radiographic appearance of ZACDs on orthopantomographs in Chhattisgarh population, and to make aware the diagnosticians and surgeons about ZACDs so as to prevent potential post-surgical complications. Materials and Method: Orthopantomographs of 240 subjects were evaluated genderwise & radiographic pattern-wise retrosepectively for ZACDs. Chi square test was used for statistical analysis. Result: Out of 240 Orthopantomographs, ZACDs were seen in 16 subjects with male to female ratio of 2.2:1 and overall prevalence of 6.67%. Conclusion: Though the overall prevalence of ZACDs is less, the diagnostician & surgeons should carefully evaluate radiographs for ZACDs before dealing with zygomatic process & articular eminence; and this pneumatization should be taught as a part of anatomical knowledge.