Evaluation of the zygomatic bone by cone beam computed tomography

The zygomatic bone (ZB) has been an effective option in the rehabilitation of the atrophic edentulous maxilla, in restoration of the low projection of the maxilla and in insertion of miniplates in maxillofacial fracture; it is situated near to air cells. In this way, the aim of this study was to evaluate the ZB by means of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images to determine if this bone can present characteristics similar to pneumatizations (CSPZB) and, in affirmative case, to determine its distribution concerning the age, gender, laterality and type. CBCT of 698 patients (1.396 ZB) were evaluated to determine the presence of CSPZB. The age and gender were recorded for all patients and, for the cases of CSPZB, laterality and type (unilocular or multilocular) were noted. Its prevalence was correlated with gender, age and laterality by statistical analyses (Chi-squared test). 3.3 % of individuals presented CSPZB. If we consider all zygomatic bones, CSPZB was in 2.8 %. Of these cases, 30.5 % were unilateral and 69.5 % bilateral; all presented multilocular pattern. There was no statistical correlation between CSPZB and gender or age (p = 0.15 and 0.63, respectively), neither between CSPZB and laterality (p = 0.39). It was found an altered pattern similar to pneumatization in ZB; however, its prevalence was low (3.3 % of the studied population). Our results indicate that the ZB should be evaluated in tomographic images prior to surgical treatments carefully.