[Narrative review of imaging studies of calcifications of the submandibular gland]

Sialolithiasis is one of the most common pathologies of the major salivary glands and occurs more frequently in the submandibular glands. Between 80 and 95% of sialoliths develop in the submandibular glands, between 5 and 20% in the parotid gland, and only 1% in the sublingual gland. Sialoliths form within the parenchyma and associated duct systems. In Wharton's duct (80-90%) and only 15% in the gland. Sialolithiasis is the cause of pain and inflammation of the salivary gland by obstructing the duct and preventing salivary secretion, before, during and after food.The objective of this article was to review the different diagnostic imaging methods used for the study of calcifications of the submandibular gland, based on different studies reported in contemporary scientific literature, in order to establish the correct diagnosis. A search of the literature was carried out in the main information sources including Medline (via PubMed), SEVIER, SCIELO, and LILACS, using the search terms with a date limitation of the last 5 years on average. The selected articles included information regarding the calcifications of the salivary glands. Imaging studies of salivary gland calcifications can be obtained with conventional radiographs, Sialography, Ultrasonography (US), Computed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MR).

[Radiation dose permitted in dentistry patients. A review]

In dental practice, the use of imaging has increased over the years, generating an increase in the radiation dose for the dental patient. One factor under discussion is the amount of dose used in patients, men, women and children, at different stages of their life, due to the scientific evidence of the harmful effects of ionizing radiation. This review of the literature analyzed the characteristics of radiation and its effects in relation to the doses administered, and its equivalences in dental practice in panoramic periapical radiographs and cone beam tomographies. A search of the literature was carried out in the main information sources such as Medline (via PubMed), SEVIER, SCIELO, and LILACS, using the search terms with a date limitation of the last 10 years. The selected articles had to include information regarding the keywords used, including "Dental Offices, Radiation Dose, X-Rays, Ambulatory Care."

[Use of current imaging tools for the study of odontogenic myxoma. A review of the literature]

Odontogenic myxoma (OM) is currently classified as a benign tumor of ectomesenchymal origin, observed between the second and fourth decade of age, with a predilection in women and predominance in the mandibular region, composed of rounded and angular cells embedded in an abundant myxoid stroma, of aggressive biological behavior, having the characteristic of being locally infiltrative. Tumor cells spread in the intratrabecular space beyond the bone limit, making it difficult to determine the edge of the tumor, even without cortical continuity, presenting intermittent direct contact with soft tissue; the appearance can be unilocular (small lesions), or commonly the typical image is that of a destructive lesion with poorly defined borders with a multilocular growth pattern, for which the use of advanced medical images such as Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CTHC), Computed Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), are useful to establish an adequate diagnosis with the ability to point out the characteristics of OM with precision and three-dimensional perspective. This review presents a systematic analysis of the types of imaging tools currently used for the study of OM.

[Applications of cone beam computed tomography of the craneofacial structure in medical specialties. A review]

Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) of the craniofacial structure has demonstrated its usefulness in the dental area during the last decades, thus it has become a fundamental tool in the diagnosis, planning, and evaluation of treatment, and although it was not developed for the exclusive use in dentistry, as it is commonly considered, it is used in other areas such as medicine. It is specifically used in the head and neck area where different medical specialties interact, and at the same time these interact with dental specialties, so knowing the advantages of CBCT over different imaging technologies in the medical area is necessary. The purpose of this review was to describe the applications of observation, diagnosis, planning, and evolution of treatments using maxillofacial HSCT in different medical specialties. This work highlights the use of TCHC in different medical applications and highlights where it is most useful compared to other technologies.

[Flebolites in the maxillofacial region: a challenge for imaging diagnosis. A review]

Vascular alterations or disorders of the blood and / or lymphatic vessels have their own characteristics, the identification of calcifications being a correct parameter to be able to make a proper diagnosis. The objective of the study was to describe the radiographic characteristics of the phleboliths, and whether they represent a challenge for diagnosis. according to the literature reviewed in the Medline (PubMed) database, Scielo, Google Scholar and some specialized journals. Phleboliths were found to have very particular radiographic characteristics, with concentric radiolucent and radiopaque images that resemble rings. However, not all the presentations are similar, this makes the diagnosis misleading with other calcifications in this region, such as sialoliths where their appearance is usually similar. Furthermore, there is the relationship with vascular anomalies and hemangiomas. finally, the evidence points to very specific characteristics of this lesion, and it is necessary to individualize each case, due to the differences that exist from one patient to another.

[Stafne's idiopathic bone cavity: characteristics and imagenological considerations. A review]

In 1942, Dr. Edward Stafne presented 35 cases of asymptomatic, clearly defined, round or ovoid radiolucencies occurring near the angle of the mandible, with a greater incidence below the lower dental canal, between the mandibular angle and the roots of the first lower molar, which he referred to as a bone defect. This bone defect later became known by other names.Clinically, Stafne's idiopathic bone cavity (SIBC) is asymptomatic, is usually not palpated intraorally and has no present extraoral signs. Thus, in most cases it is an accidental radiological finding, which appears as a delimited, elliptical or rounded radiolucent image, with a diameter ranging from 1 to 3 cm, and delimited by osteocondensation in the anteroinferior limits. According to the location of the findings, they are classified as; anterior, posterior and branch.This entity should be considered as a variant of normality requiring differential diagnosis to achieve an accurate diagnosis. The present review provides information on the history, and general and radiographic characteristics of SIBC to facilitate diagnosis when presented with this type of findings.

[Imaginology in the diagnosis and planning of root duct systems: an updated review]

Root canal systems present a varied morphological conformation for each group of teeth. Several authors have described the anatomical conformation and its variants in different classifications, including the main, collateral, lateral, secondary, accessory, interduct, recurrent, apical delta and interradicular cavus canals. Currently, radiology still does not allow visualization of all these structures. However, proper use of imaging techniques together with the use of new 3D equipment for adjustments of acquisition parameters with adequate software and algorithms allows greater image precision, facilitating diagnosis and the planning of the most adequate approach for endodontic treatments. The objective of this article was to conduct a review of the literature to identify new concepts and useful imaging tools for better diagnoses.

Uso de la ecografía como método diagnóstico y ayuda terapéutica en la práctica odontológica. Una revisión

La ecografía es una ayuda diagnóstica en el área de la salud que se usa para evaluar el desarrollo intrauterino, observar el comportamiento de lesiones, valorar órganos internos y acompañar procedimientos clínicos específicamente en la medicina, pero en la odontología es un campo en el que apenas se está explorando e incursionando para incluirlo como parte de los métodos diagnósticos de rutina en la consulta clínica. El creciente interés por investigar su uso como método diagnóstico y terapéutico en la odontología se basa en las bondades que tiene y en cómo puede facilitar muchos procesos por tratarse de una ayuda diagnóstica accesible, económica y poco nociva para la salud. En el presente artículo se exponen los diferentes usos que se le da a la ecografía en las diferentes especialidades odontológicas, y se la compara con otros métodos diagnósticos.

Aspectos descriptivos imagenológicos del osteoma de los maxilares: Revisión de la literatura

El osteoma es una lesión osteogénica benigna, derivado de hueso compacto o esponjoso. Se caracteriza por ser de crecimiento lento y aparece con más frecuencia entre los 20 y los 50 años de vida, con una prevalencia mayor en hombres con respecto a las mujeres. Clínicamente asintomáticos, los podemos encontrar en la región craneofacial, particularmente en los senos paranasales y la mandíbula, y pueden presentarse de tres formas: central, periférica y extraósea, siendo más comunes los solitarios, a diferencia de los múltiples que están relacionados con el síndrome de Gardner. El tratamiento de los osteomas es quirúrgico cuando causan complicaciones. Los estudios por imágenes, como la radiografía panorámica y la TCHC, son las modalidades de mayor uso para determinar la ubicación, la extensión y las relaciones anatómicas de la lesión. Las características imagenológicas pueden presentarse como una excrecencia ósea de hueso compacto, esponjoso o mixto. El conocimiento de esta lesión nos permitirá tener mejores propuestas diagnósticas.