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The relationship between radionuclide bone scans and dental examinations
E J Strittmatter1, D L Keller, G L LaBounty
1U.S. Army Dental Activity, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, D.C. 20307-5400.
Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, and Oral Pathology
|November 1, 1989
Summary
Bone scans show high accuracy in detecting dental issues. Abnormalities found on bone scans may indicate dental pathosis not visible with standard clinical and radiographic methods.
Area of Science:
- Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology
- Nuclear Medicine
- Dental Diagnostics
Background:
- Bone scans are utilized in nuclear medicine for diagnostic purposes.
- Assessing the utility of bone scans in identifying dental abnormalities is crucial for early detection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the correlation between bone scan findings and clinical/radiographic dental examinations.
- To determine if bone scans can detect dental pathosis not evident through conventional methods.
Main Methods:
- Bone scans of 57 patients were analyzed.
- Radiopharmaceutical uptake in the maxilla and mandible was correlated with dental examinations.
- Statistical analysis was performed to assess agreement.
Main Results:
- An 80% agreement was observed between bone scan findings and dental examinations (p < 0.001).
- 21 patients with normal dental exams exhibited abnormal bone scans.
- Five of these patients later required emergency dental treatment.
Conclusions:
- Bone scans demonstrate significant accuracy in identifying dental abnormalities.
- Abnormal bone scan findings may indicate subclinical dental pathosis.
- Bone scans could serve as a valuable adjunct to conventional dental diagnostics.