%0 Journal Article %T Incidental findings in cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans for implant treatment planning: a retrospective study of 404 CBCT scans. %A Biel P %A Jurt A %A Chappuis V %A Suter VGA %J Oral Radiol %V 40 %N 2 %D 2024 Apr 15 %M 38102453 %F 1.882 %R 10.1007/s11282-023-00723-5 %X OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of incidental findings and need for further dental treatment and analyse the influence of size of field-of-view (FOV) and age in cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) for pre-implant planning.
METHODS: 404 CBCT scans were examined retrospectively for incidental findings and need for further dental treatment. Incidental finding-frequencies and need for further treatment were assessed for different age (< 40 years, 40-60 years, > 60 years) and FOV groups (small, medium, large). Intraexaminer and interexaminer agreements were evaluated.
RESULTS: In 82% of the scans at least one incidental finding was found, with a total of 766 overall. More incidental findings were found in scans with large FOV (98% vs. 72%, OR = 22.39 large vs. small FOV, p < 0.0001) and in scans of patients > 60 years (OR = 5.37 patient's age > 60 years vs. < 40 years, p = 0.0003). Further dental treatment due to incidental findings was needed in 31%. Scans with large FOV were more likely to entail further treatment (OR = 3.55 large vs. small FOV, p < 0.0001). Partial edentulism and large FOV were identified as risk factors for further treatment (p = 0.0003 and p < 0.0001). Further referral of the patient based on incidental findings was judged as indicated in 5%. Intra- and inter-examiner agreements were excellent (kappa = 0.944/0.805).
CONCLUSIONS: A considerable number of incidental findings with need for further dental treatment was found in partially edentulous patients and in patients > 60 years. In pre-implant planning of elderly patients, the selection of large FOV CBCT scans, including dentoalveolar regions not X-rayed recently, help to detect therapeutically relevant incidental findings.