OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the persistency of foramen of Huschke by means of computed tomography study of the ear region and approaching important clinical aspects related to the presence of this anatomical anomaly. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two examiners have analyzed the whole tympanic portion of temporal bone in 150 bilateral computed tomography studies of the ear region, searching for foramen of Huschke presence or absence. RESULTS: The mentioned anatomical anomaly was found in 17 cases (11.3%), 13 patients (76.5%) being female and four (23.5%) male. This higher female incidence is statistically confirmed. CONCLUSION: Ear and/or temporomandibular joint specialists should turn their attention to the persistency of foramen of Huschke.

Keywords: Foramen of Huschke, Computed tomography, Temporal bone

OBJECTIVE: To assess radiographically the prevalence of morphological alterations of the styloid process in patients with temporomandibular joint disorders. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We have analyzed 1,500 panoramic x-ray films of temporomandibular joint from both male and female patients with no age limit, who were attended in the Service of Temporomandibular Joint Disorder of Faculty of Odontology at Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil, in the period between 1997 and 2003. RESULTS: Eighty-three (5.53%) of the analyzed patients (74 female and 9 male), predominantly in the age range between 41 and 50 years (32.5%), presented with, at least, one of the joint sides with morphological alteration of the styloid process. As far as the type of styloid process in concerned, 113 elongated, 21 pseudoarticulated and 19 segmented were observed. Also, it was noticed that the morphological alterations of the styloid process develop in a symmetrical fashion. CONCLUSION: In individuals with temporomandibular joint disorder, styloid process alterations occur symmetrically and in a different way for each patient, independently from sex and age.

Keywords: Styloid process, Temporomandibular joint disorder, Radiography