Importance of interpreting the cone beam computed tomography obtained volume: incidental findings of a private radiological service

Roberta Heiffig Handem, Ivna Albano Lopes, Rosana Adami Tucunduva, Ana Lucia Alvares Capelozza

Objective: To evaluate whether the images obtained outside the area of interest requested by the dentist are important and would modify the treatment plan, aiming to establish the occurrence of incidental findings in all areas of exams requested for evaluation of only one region. Methods: images of 100 cone beam computed tomography exams, requested for different purposes, were randomly selected from a private practice images database. All images were obtained in an i-CAT Classic Cone Beam 3-D Imaging System® CT scanner, with FOV ranging from 6cm for maxilla or mandible to 8cm for maxilla and mandible, according to the indication and each patient skull anatomy. The voxel size varied between 0.20mm and 0.25mm. All the image volume was evaluated at all reconstruction, by a single examiner. Results: incidental findings were found in 82 of the 100 evaluated images, totaling 185 findings. The mean age of subjects was 48 years and 4 months, and the female sex was predominant. Conclusions: The results, presented in a descriptive statistical way, showed a high number of incidental findings, especially in the regions of the teeth and maxillary sinus.

Keywords: Incidental findings. Diagnosis. Cone-beam computed tomography.

How to cite: Handem RH, Lopes IA, Tucunduva RA, Capelozza ALA. Importance of interpreting the cone beam computed tomography obtained volume: incidental findings of a private radiological service. J Clin Dent Res. 2018 Jan-Mar;15(1):54-63. DOI: https://doi.org/10.14436/2447-911x.15.1.054-063.oar

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