Incidental findings beyond the oral and maxillofacial region in craniofacial imaging of patients with jaw deformities: a retrospective analysis

Purpose Computed tomography (CT) plays a crucial role in diagnosing jaw deformities by providing comprehensive three-dimensional images. While numerous studies have investigated incidental findings (IFs) in abdominal and brain imaging, research on IFs in patients with jaw deformities remains scarce. This retrospective study aimed to analyse CT imaging reports of patients with clinically diagnosed jaw deformities to determine the frequency and clinical significance of IFs.Materials and methods The study included patients who underwent multi-detector row CT examinations between January 2020 and December 2023. IFs were categorized by sex and skeletal-facial type, and statistical analyses were conducted to examine the association between sex and IFs.Results Of the 193 patients examined, 89.1% presented with at least one IF. Tonsilloliths were the most prevalent extracranial IFs, accounting for one-quarter of the detected IFs. Intracranial IFs primarily consisted of calcified structures, particularly in the pineal gland. Statistical analysis revealed a sex difference in the frequency of detected IFs only in the maxillary retrusion and mandibular protrusion groups among the five skeletal-facial types.Conclusion IFs are frequently detected on CT images of patients with jaw deformities. Given the increasing use of cone-beam CT, dentists and orthodontists must meticulously review CT imaging findings and consider their clinical significance. We conclude that a thorough understanding of IFs and proper recognition training are essential for diagnosis, treatment planning and patient counselling in orthodontic practice.