Incidental findings from cone beam computed tomography of the maxillofacial region: a descriptive retrospective study

TLDR

The study aims to assess the types and prevalence of incidental findings in maxillofacial CBCT scans. The authors retrospectively reviewed 300 consecutive maxillofacial CBCT scans from 2008, categorizing incidental findings into airway, soft tissue calcifications, bone, TMJ, endodontic, dental developmental, and pathological groups. A total of 881 incidental findings were identified in 272 scans (3.2 per scan), with airway findings being most common (35%); 16.1% required intervention or referral, 15.6% monitoring, and 68.3% required no further action, highlighting the importance of thorough review of CBCT volumes.

Abstract

Abstract Objective To evaluate the type and prevalence of incidental findings from cone beam computed tomography ( CBCT ) of the maxillofacial region. Findings are divided into those that require (i) intervention/referral, (ii) monitoring, and (iii) no further evaluation. Methods Three hundred consecutive CBCT scans conducted in the U niversity of N orth C arolina S chool of D entistry O ral and M axillofacial R adiology C linic from J anuary 1 to A ugust 31, 2008 were retrospectively reviewed. Findings were categorized into airway, soft tissue calcifications, bone, temporomandibular joint ( TMJ ), endodontic, dental developmental, and pathological findings. Results A total of 272 scans revealed 881 incidental findings (3.2 findings/scan). The most prevalent was airway findings (35%) followed by soft tissue calcifications (20%), bone (17.5%), TMJ (15.4%), endodontic (11.3%), dental developmental (0.7%), and pathological (0.1%). 16.1% required intervention/referral, 15.6% required monitoring, and the remainder (68.3%) required neither. Conclusion This study underscores the need to thoroughly examine all CBCT volumes for clinically significant findings within and beyond the region of interest.