Evaluation of genomic damage from buccal epithelial cells in patients subjected to cone beam computed tomography

Abstract

Background: Radiography forms an important and integral part in diagnosis which is used in the oral and maxillofacial region to give an appropriate diagnosis and treatment planning. But, diagnostic radiations also induce some amount of cell damage at cytogenetic levels, depending on the dosage of the radiation administered. The ionizing radiation which has been emitted during these procedures has deleterious effects on the DNA and induces cell death. Aim: To evaluate the genomic damage from buccal epithelial cells in patients subjected to cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Materials and Methods: Patients were divided into two groups with 30 subjects in each group. Group-1 included the subjects advised for single CBCT exposure and Group-2 included the subjects advised for double CBCT exposure. Exfoliated buccal epithelial cells were collected immediately before the exposure, 15 days, and 30 days after the CBCT exposure. The cytological smears were examined to detect the micronucleus and pyknotic nucleus. Results: The mean of the micronucleus and pyknotic nucleus obtained from group-2 (double exposure) subjects was significantly higher in males than group-1 (single exposure) subjects with a P value of 0.0001 during pre-exposure, 15 days, and 30 days after exposure. Conclusion: Genomic damage does take place due to cone-beam computed tomography. So, CBCT should be cautiously used when necessary and it cannot be considered as a risk-free procedure.

Keywords

• buccal epithelial cells
• cbct
• micronucleus
• papanicolaou stain
• pyknotic nucleus