Brain and salivary gland tumors related to prior dental radiography: implications for current practice

Article Abstract:

Tumors of the brain and salivary glands can be induced by exposure to moderately high radiation, and it has been suggested that dental radiography could contribute to the formation of such tumors. Five epidemiological studies that examined the relationship of tumors to prior diagnostic radiation exposure are evaluated. Residents of Los Angeles County participated; each affected person was matched to a similar unaffected person from the same neighborhood. Subjects were asked about their prior exposure to radiation. Patients who had a history of full-mouth examinations were more likely than those without such a history to have a meningioma (a benign tumor) in a certain location in the skull. Salivary gland tumors generally occur in the parotid gland, and it was found that the risk of developing a malignant parotid tumor was increased by prior exposure of the parotid to radiation therapy. About 15 percent of meningiomas in the study discussed were judged to result from diagnostic radiographs, which may well be an underestimation since most of the cumulative dose of radiation to the parotid had come from dental examinations. These findings need to be replicated in other geographical areas. They appear to be valid for patients who received multiple dental examinations, many of which took place before 1960 when radiation doses were higher than they are now. Evaluation of studies of exposure at current levels using faster film and different techniques reveal that exposure has, indeed, been reduced considerably although there is variability among dental offices. It is not possible to determine whether current low doses of X-rays can cause tumors; however, since no lower limit is known, minimizing patient exposure is the best approach. Suggestions are made for limiting the number of films required, using faster film and electronic timers, rectangular collimation which reduces the beam size, and rare earth intensifying screens for full-mouth views. Recommendations have been provided by the American Dental Association on this subject. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Health aspects, Physiological aspects, Brain tumors, Mouth tumors, Tumors, Radiation-induced, Radiation carcinogenesis

---

Assessing the FDA guidelines for ordering dental radiographs

Article Abstract:

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines for ordering dental x-rays appear to reduce patients' radiation exposure without significantly compromising dental care. The guidelines recommend that dentists order individual x-rays only when they suspect disease. Dentists examined 490 patients and ordered x-rays according to the FDA guidelines. Dentists ordered an average of 9.7 periapical x-rays per patient, which represents a 43% decrease compared to standard full mouth x-rays. Clinical evidence of periodontal disease, the presence of large or deep fillings, and missing teeth were the three most common reasons for ordering x-rays. Dentists missed approximately 4% of x-ray findings indicative of dental disease when they followed the FDA guidelines. Almost half of the missed findings were areas of bone loss on teeth that were not clinically significant. Most missed findings occurred in the front of the patients' mouths.

Standards, Cover Story, United States. Food and Drug Administration

---

Use of panoramic radiography among an ambulatory dental population to detect patients at risk of stroke

Article Abstract:

Panoramic dental x-rays may be useful to predict the risk of stroke in patients who show no symptoms. The presence of calcifications on x-rays in the region of the carotid blood vessels can be an indication of risk factors such as obesity, hypertension or smoking. In a review of the x-rays of 1,175 patients whose age averaged 40.1 years, 42 revealed calcifications. Of these 42 people, almost half were obese, over one-third had a history of smoking, 29% had hypertension and one had a previous stroke.

Stroke (Disease), Stroke, Diagnosis, Radioscopic, Radioscopic diagnosis, Carotid artery, Carotid arteries

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Surgical treatment of complications of acute myocardial infarction. Should survivors of myocardial infarction with low ejection fraction be routinely referred to arrhythmia specialists?
• Abstracts: Prediction of glucose response to weight loss in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Impact of glucose self-monitoring on glycohemoglobin values in a veteran population
• Abstracts: Shoulder dystocia: prevention and treatment. Translating data to dialogue: How to discuss mode of delivery with your patient with twins
• Abstracts: Effects of birthweight and sociodemographic variables on mental development of neonatal intensive care unit survivors
• Abstracts: Endoscopic sclerotherapy in extrahepatic portal hypertension in pregnancy. Cushing's syndrome and pregnancy

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.