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Incidental findings on cone-beam computed tomographic images: paranasal sinus findings and nasal septum variations

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Abstract

Objective

CBCT applications have received widespread acceptance in dentistry. CBCT scans provide three-dimensional information on anatomic structures and characteristics of pathologies, rather than the two-dimensional information obtained with the conventional techniques. The purpose of this study was to evaluate incidental findings in out-of-interest areas on CBCT images and to reveal their frequency and characteristics.

Methods

A total of 691 CBCT scans from 691 patients were assessed. Demographic data, CBCT indications, and incidental findings outside the primary area of interest, such as anatomical variations and pathologies, were noted. The incidental findings were categorized and analyzed using descriptive statistics.

Results

In total, 1109 incidental findings in paranasal sinuses were noted on 548 of the 691 CBCT scans. The highest rate of incidental findings was maxillary sinus findings, followed by concha bullosa and septum deviation. The most frequently observed pathology was mucosal thickening, followed by polypoid mucosal thickening in the maxillary sinus.

Conclusions

While most incidental findings require no treatment, some conditions will necessitate modification of the treatment plan. Therefore, dental practitioners should be aware of incidental findings and anatomical variations. Correct identification of these findings will reduce unnecessary further diagnostic assessments and allow selection of more appropriate treatment plans.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dentomaxillofacial Radiology, Health Sciences University, General Tevfik Saglam St., 06010, Ankara, Turkey

    Hakan Avsever

  2. Department of Dentomaxillofacial Radiology, Ondokuz Mayıs University, 55200, Samsun, Turkey

    Kaan Gunduz

  3. Department of Otolaryngology, Health Sciences University, General Tevfik Saglam St., 06010, Ankara, Turkey

    Omer Karakoç

  4. Department of Biostatistics, Yildirim Beyazit University, Cankiri St., No:3, 06500, Ankara, Turkey

    Mesut Akyol

  5. Department of Dentomaxillofacial Radiology, Ankara University, Incitas St., 06560, Ankara, Turkey

    Kaan Orhan

Authors
  1. Hakan Avsever
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  2. Kaan Gunduz
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hakan Avsever.

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Conflict of interest

Hakan Avsever, Kaan Gunduz, Omer Karakoç, Mesut Akyol, and Kaan Orhan declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Human rights statement and informed consent

All procedures followed were in accordance with the ethical standards of the responsible committee on human experimentation (institutional and national) and with the Helsinki Declaration of 1964 and later versions. Informed consent was obtained from all patients for being included in the study.

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Avsever, H., Gunduz, K., Karakoç, O. et al. Incidental findings on cone-beam computed tomographic images: paranasal sinus findings and nasal septum variations. Oral Radiol 34, 40–48 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11282-017-0283-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11282-017-0283-y

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