Assessment of posterior tilting of the hyoid bone in relation to carotid atherosclerosis: a CBCT study

Abstract

Aim: The present study aimed to investigate whether the presence and areal and volumetric measurements of the unilateral extra-cranial carotid artery calcifications (ECACs) are associated with posterior tilting of the hyoid bone. Material and Method: A total of 658 cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans were screened for the presence of ECACs. The calcifications were categorized as unilateral (right or left) or bilateral. Study group was consisted of cases with unilateral ECACs. A control group without ECACs matching with study group by age and gender was created. Volumetric and areal measurements in the ECAC group were done by using Mimics Medical software. Posterior tilting of the hyoid bone in relation to mid-sagittal plane and the dimension of posterior inclination through the greater horns were measured on i-Cat Vision software. Results: In total, 71 (10.8%) ECACs (30 bilateral and 41 unilateral) were detected. Study group consisted of 41 (6.2%) unilateral ECAC cases [25 (61%) females and 16 (39%) males]. Gender and age distributions were similar between ECAC and control groups. No significant difference between two groups was found considering the prevalence of posterior tilting of the hyoid bone (63.4% vs. 43.9%, p=0.240). Similarly, there was no significant difference in the mean dimension of posterior inclination between groups (2.48±2.12 mm. vs. 2.24±1.47 mm, p=0.646). The volume and areal measurements of calcifications were not correlated with the dimension of posterior inclination of the hyoid bone. Conclusion: Posterior tilting of the hyoid bone may be a frequent finding in cases of unilateral ECAC. However, the present findings suggest that no significant relationship exists between the presence of unilateral ECACs and posterior tilting of the hyoid bone.