Incidental findings of soft tissue radiopacities on digital panoramic radiographs: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Introduction: Panoramic radiographs have the unique ability to cover maxilla, mandible, and associated structures in a single image. Hence, the soft tissue calcifications within the region covered can be identified. Aim: To assess the prevalence of incidental findings of soft tissue radiopacities on digital panoramic radiographs. Materials and Method: 2036 digital panoramic radiographs were included in the study. For convenience, each radiograph was divided into 12 segments by 3 vertical lines, and 2 horizontal lines. Calcifications were analyzed based on the anatomical location, number, shape, size, and internal structure. Results: The overall prevalence of soft tissue calcifications was 5.1%. Six types of soft tissue calcifications were identified, which included stylohyoid ligament calcification (53.3%), carotid artery calcification (24.8%), lymph node calcification (5.7%), tonsillolith (3.8%), sialolith (3.8%) and thyroid and triticious cartilage calcification (8.6%). Conclusion: There is no sufficient data in the literature, and hence more studies are needed with a wider sample size to correlate with the available data.

Keywords

• incidental findings
• panoramic radiographs
• prevalence
• soft tissue radiopacities key message: opgs taken for routine dental care can be used as a key tool by the dentists for timely diagnosis of soft tissue calcifications to reduce potential complications and save lives