IADR Abstract Archives
CBCT Scans of Orthodontic Patients Show Significant Incidental Findings
Objectives: To evaluate the prevalence of incidental findings in orthodontic patients imaged with CBCT
Methods: This retrospective study evaluated a randomly selected sample of 250 CBCT scans acquired primarily for orthodontic intervention. CBCT scans were evaluated in all three orthogonal planes by a dental student and two board certified oral and maxillofacial radiologists for incidental findings. Findings were classified based on their anatomic region and assigned a specific clinical significance with a scale of low, moderate, or high.
Results: Incidental findings were categorized and placed into one of six subgroups based on anatomic region: sino-nasal, dentoalveolar, nasooropharyngeal airway, temporomandibular joint, neck, non-pathological calcifications, and miscellaneous findings. Of the 250 scans, 1415 incidental findings were identified among the six anatomic regions. The most frequently identified findings were those located in the sino-nasal and dento-alveolar, representing 35.0% and 34.8% respectively. Within the sino-nasal category, nasal septal deviation and mucosal thickening of maxillary sinus had the highest percentage of incidental findings, 54.0 and 47.6% respectively. Within the dentoalveolar category, impacted canines and third molars had the most frequently incidental findings, 81.6% and 79.2% respectively.
Conclusions: This study shows a high occurrence of incidental findings in orthodontic patients imaged with CBCT and highlights the need for a careful evaluation of the entire scanned volume.
Methods: This retrospective study evaluated a randomly selected sample of 250 CBCT scans acquired primarily for orthodontic intervention. CBCT scans were evaluated in all three orthogonal planes by a dental student and two board certified oral and maxillofacial radiologists for incidental findings. Findings were classified based on their anatomic region and assigned a specific clinical significance with a scale of low, moderate, or high.
Results: Incidental findings were categorized and placed into one of six subgroups based on anatomic region: sino-nasal, dentoalveolar, nasooropharyngeal airway, temporomandibular joint, neck, non-pathological calcifications, and miscellaneous findings. Of the 250 scans, 1415 incidental findings were identified among the six anatomic regions. The most frequently identified findings were those located in the sino-nasal and dento-alveolar, representing 35.0% and 34.8% respectively. Within the sino-nasal category, nasal septal deviation and mucosal thickening of maxillary sinus had the highest percentage of incidental findings, 54.0 and 47.6% respectively. Within the dentoalveolar category, impacted canines and third molars had the most frequently incidental findings, 81.6% and 79.2% respectively.
Conclusions: This study shows a high occurrence of incidental findings in orthodontic patients imaged with CBCT and highlights the need for a careful evaluation of the entire scanned volume.