Incidental pathological findings in panoramic radiographs: An institution-based study.

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Title: Incidental pathological findings in panoramic radiographs: An institution-based study.
Authors: Thomas, Sunila (AUTHOR), Shaji, Anchitha Elsa (AUTHOR), Thomas, Jincy (AUTHOR), Jo, Shiana (AUTHOR), Fathima, Shabna (AUTHOR)
Source: Saudi Journal for Health Sciences. Jan-Apr2026, Vol. 15 Issue 1, p58-63. 6p.
Subjects: Panoramic radiography, Disease prevalence, Dental radiography, Dental pathology, Serendipity, Molars, Eagle syndrome, Oral radiography
Abstract: Background: Panoramic radiography or orthopantomography is a widely used extraoral imaging technique that offers a comprehensive visualization of the maxillofacial complex and aids in detecting pathologies. Its wide anatomical coverage often reveals incidental findings (IF) – abnormalities unrelated to the primary imaging indication. Early detection of such findings is essential for better prognosis and lower morbidity. Aims: The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of IFs in panoramic radiographs of patients attending a dental institution. Settings and Design: The study was designed as a cross-sectional retrospective analysis and was conducted in a private dental institution. Subjects and Methods: The study analyzed 1880 panoramic radiographs retrieved from the radiology department archives over 6 months (April–October 2023). Eligible radiographs were evaluated for IFs by calibrated examiners. Statistical Analysis Used: Data normality was assessed using the Shapiro–Wilk and Kolmogorov–Smirnov tests. Descriptive statistics were presented as mean ± standard deviation, and associations between demographics and IFs were evaluated using the Chi-square test, with significance set at P < 0.05. Results: Of 1880 panoramic radiographs assessed, 471 IFs were identified in 400 images, yielding an overall prevalence of 25.05% indicating that nearly one in four panoramic radiographs revealed an IF. The most prevalent IF was impacted teeth (33.5%), followed by elongated styloid process (31.6%). Conclusion: The high prevalence of IF in panoramic radiographs highlights the need for systematic evaluation in dental and maxillofacial practice. The expertise of oral and maxillofacial radiologists ensures accurate detection of hidden pathologies, facilitating early intervention and improved outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Saudi Journal for Health Sciences is the property of Wolters Kluwer India Pvt Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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  Data: Incidental pathological findings in panoramic radiographs: An institution-based study.
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  Data: &lt;searchLink fieldCode=&quot;AR&quot; term=&quot;%22Thomas%2C+Sunila%22&quot;&gt;Thomas, Sunila&lt;/searchLink&gt; (AUTHOR)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;searchLink fieldCode=&quot;AR&quot; term=&quot;%22Shaji%2C+Anchitha+Elsa%22&quot;&gt;Shaji, Anchitha Elsa&lt;/searchLink&gt; (AUTHOR)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;searchLink fieldCode=&quot;AR&quot; term=&quot;%22Thomas%2C+Jincy%22&quot;&gt;Thomas, Jincy&lt;/searchLink&gt; (AUTHOR)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;searchLink fieldCode=&quot;AR&quot; term=&quot;%22Jo%2C+Shiana%22&quot;&gt;Jo, Shiana&lt;/searchLink&gt; (AUTHOR)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;searchLink fieldCode=&quot;AR&quot; term=&quot;%22Fathima%2C+Shabna%22&quot;&gt;Fathima, Shabna&lt;/searchLink&gt; (AUTHOR)
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  Data: &lt;searchLink fieldCode=&quot;JN&quot; term=&quot;%22Saudi+Journal+for+Health+Sciences%22&quot;&gt;Saudi Journal for Health Sciences&lt;/searchLink&gt;. Jan-Apr2026, Vol. 15 Issue 1, p58-63. 6p.
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– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: Background: Panoramic radiography or orthopantomography is a widely used extraoral imaging technique that offers a comprehensive visualization of the maxillofacial complex and aids in detecting pathologies. Its wide anatomical coverage often reveals incidental findings (IF) – abnormalities unrelated to the primary imaging indication. Early detection of such findings is essential for better prognosis and lower morbidity. Aims: The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of IFs in panoramic radiographs of patients attending a dental institution. Settings and Design: The study was designed as a cross-sectional retrospective analysis and was conducted in a private dental institution. Subjects and Methods: The study analyzed 1880 panoramic radiographs retrieved from the radiology department archives over 6 months (April–October 2023). Eligible radiographs were evaluated for IFs by calibrated examiners. Statistical Analysis Used: Data normality was assessed using the Shapiro–Wilk and Kolmogorov–Smirnov tests. Descriptive statistics were presented as mean &#177; standard deviation, and associations between demographics and IFs were evaluated using the Chi-square test, with significance set at P &lt; 0.05. Results: Of 1880 panoramic radiographs assessed, 471 IFs were identified in 400 images, yielding an overall prevalence of 25.05% indicating that nearly one in four panoramic radiographs revealed an IF. The most prevalent IF was impacted teeth (33.5%), followed by elongated styloid process (31.6%). Conclusion: The high prevalence of IF in panoramic radiographs highlights the need for systematic evaluation in dental and maxillofacial practice. The expertise of oral and maxillofacial radiologists ensures accurate detection of hidden pathologies, facilitating early intervention and improved outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
– Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright
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  Data: &lt;i&gt;Copyright of Saudi Journal for Health Sciences is the property of Wolters Kluwer India Pvt Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder&#39;s express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.&lt;/i&gt; (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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RecordInfo BibRecord:
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    Identifiers:
      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.4103/sjhs.sjhs_117_25
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      – Code: eng
        Text: English
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      Pagination:
        PageCount: 6
        StartPage: 58
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Panoramic radiography
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Disease prevalence
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Dental radiography
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Dental pathology
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Serendipity
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Molars
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Eagle syndrome
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Oral radiography
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Incidental pathological findings in panoramic radiographs: An institution-based study.
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            NameFull: Thomas, Sunila
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            NameFull: Shaji, Anchitha Elsa
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            NameFull: Thomas, Jincy
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            NameFull: Jo, Shiana
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            – D: 01
              M: 01
              Text: Jan-Apr2026
              Type: published
              Y: 2026
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