A Cross-Sectional Study Examining Hyoid Bone Fusion and Density Variation among Patients Receiving Care at a Tertiary Hospital

Abstract

BACKGROUND Present research was conducted to the assess extent of hyoid bone fusion in different age groups and genders, and also to assess the developmental changes in hyoid bone mineral density (BMD). METHODS This cross-sectional study was carried out in the Radiology Department at Sri Devaraj Urs Medical College. A 3-D model of the hyoid bone was created using computed tomography of 417 patients. Hyoid bones were classified based on the rank of fusion on each side into one of four categories based on fusion: bilateral fusion, unilateral or partial fusion, bilateral non-fusion and bilateral distant non-fusion. Bone mineral density was evaluated using Hounsfield units (HU). The type of fusion and BMD were considered dependent variables whereas Age and sex were considered as independent variables. Statistical significance was established at a threshold of p-value < 0.05. Statistical analysis was conducted using the coGuide software. RESULTS Majority of the participants were in age group of >50 years (36.21%). Males were more represented compared to females (62.35%). In the analyzed sample, there was no statistically significant association between gender and the type of fusion across all age groups individually or collectively (p-value>0.05). However, there was statistically significant difference in median BMD between genders across various age categories (p-value <0.05). CONCLUSIONS Hyoid bone mineral density was higher in males compared to females and increased with ,age up to 50 years. No specific pattern of hyoid bone fusion was observed across various age groups and genders.