Incidental findings from panoramic radiographs: A systematic review with meta-analysis.
Anastasia Imboden-Ilia, Heba Awaad, Emmanouil Inglezos et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the prevalence of incidental findings in panoramic radiographs across 25 studies involving 66,882 dental patients. The findings revealed a prevalence range of 5.2% to 88.1%, with an average prevalence between 22.9% and 53.1%. Incidental findings were most frequently related to airways (30.9%).
Key findings
- Incidental findings in panoramic radiographs ranged from 5.2% to 88.1%.
- Average prevalence of incidental findings was between 22.9% and 53.1%.
- Most common incidental findings were related to airways (30.9%) and teeth (12.2%).
- Methodological issues included incomplete reporting and small sample sizes.
Why it matters
Understanding the prevalence and types of incidental findings in panoramic radiographs is crucial for clinicians, as it informs the need for further evaluation and management of potentially significant findings.
What to keep in mind
Several methodological issues were noted, including incomplete reporting and small sample sizes in the included studies.