Prevalence of ponticulus posticus in Indian orthodontic patients

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of complete ponticulus posticus in Indian orthodontic patients. Methods: The presence and types of ponticuli posticus were investigated on 858 lateral cephalograms. Results: Complete ponticulus posticus was found in 4.3% of the subjects studied with a male (5.33%) predominance over female in the population (3.76%). Conclusions: Ponticulus posticus is not a rare anomaly and the patient must be told of the implications and importance of detecting ponticulus posticus on a lateral cephalogram. This information can prove beneficial for the diagnosis of head and neck symptoms later.

Prevalence and Morphologic Characteristics of Ponticulus Posticus: Analysis Using Cone-Beam Computed Tomography

“…Although skeletal maturation evaluation 5 using the cervical vertebrae and its modified version are now commonly used to interpret the growth potential of young patients, inadequate attention is paid to the radiological anatomy of this region with a view to identifying pathology. 6 Knowledge of this anomaly is critical to surgeons performing posterior atlantoaxial fusions. 7 Since the treatment of atlantoaxial instability was revolutionized by the introduction of the C1LMS insertion, 8 many alterations to the method have been described and used successfully.…”

Ponticulus Posticus: Is It Important for a Dentist as an Radiological Finding?

“…Especially when the head is moving, the neurodynamic process may lead to conditions cited above because of traction on the dura, and this can result in pain. 9,16 Wight et al 20 found increased presence of PP of the atlas in migraine sufferers. The presence of the PP has been related with shoulder and arm pain, neck pain, headaches, and dizziness.…”

“…The PP means "little posterior bridge" in Latin 3,6,[8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18] which describes an anomalous malformed bony bridge between the posterior portion of the superior articular process and the posterolateral portion of the superior margin of the posterior arch of the atlas. 9 The normal atlas ( Figure 1) is a ring-like structure consisting of two lateral masses connected by a short anterior arch and a longer posterior arch.…”

“…9 The normal atlas ( Figure 1) is a ring-like structure consisting of two lateral masses connected by a short anterior arch and a longer posterior arch. It is the widest cervical vertebra, with its anterior arch approximately half as long as the posterior arch.…”

“…In terms of surgery, PP has become an important anomaly of the atlas since the lateral mass screws began being used for the treatment of atlantoaxial instability. 9,40 Atlantoaxial instability is excessive movement at the junction between the atlas and axis. This problem may lead to such symptoms as balance problems, blurred vision, frequent head and neck pain, difficulty swallowing, dizziness, fullness in the ears, migraine headache, neck pain with no motion, reduced activity, severe fatigue, suboccipital headache, tinnitus and vertigo.…”