Article: Volume 49 Number 2 Page 95 - February 2022

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  Dental Update 497: 95-101

Dental & Maxillofacial Radiology:  Do Something or Do Nothing? Anatomical Variants and Incidental Findings on Cone Beam CT. Part 1

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Abstract: Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) is a popular and often indispensable imaging modality used for the dento-alveolar tissues and immediate surrounding structures. It can be used across several dental disciplines including endodontics, implant planning, oral surgery and orthodontics. Furthermore, it is also commonly used in the medical specialities of oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS) and ear, nose and throat (ENT) surgery. In many of the images taken, there will often be findings/presentations that may not be expected, or familiar, to the reporting clinician.

Clinical relevance: Many incidental findings are innocuous, yet their recognition and documentation are essential because some will warrant medical or surgical intervention.

Author notes: Jimmy Makdissi, DDS, MMedSc, FDS RCS(Eng), DDRRCR, FHEA, Clinical Senior Lecturer and Honorary Consultant, Dental and Maxillofacial Radiology, Institute of Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London and Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, The Royal London Dental Hospital; Clinical Director, JM Radiology CBCT Training. Amanda Loughlin, BDS (QUB), MFDS, RCPS (Glas), DDMFR (RCR), Consultant in Dental and Maxillofacial Radiology, Barts Health NHS Trust, London. Mohammed M Dungarwalla, BDS(Hons), MSc, MFDS, RCSEd, PGCert (MedEd), PGCert (ClinRes), MOral Surg, RCSEd FHEA. Specialist in Oral Surgery, Institute of Dentistry, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London; Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, The Royal London Hospital. email: mohammed.dungarwalla@nhs.net

Objective: Readers should become familiar with common incidental findings and anatomical variants found on dento-alveolar/small field CBCT volumes.