Dentists are overusing CT scans in emergency settings for odontogenic infection workups, according to a Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery study.
The retrospective, cross-sectional study was designed to determine the rate of CT overuse for odontogenic infections. Researchers determined a CT was unnecessary if patients were present without "red flags," which included voice change, elevated floor of mouth, signs of inflammation of deep fascial spaces and more.
Of the 470 patients featured in the study, 389 of their CT scans were conducted. Around 55.6 percent (220 CT scans) were deemed unnecessary. The unnecessary scans were more likely to be performed in patients with low-risk infections.
Researchers found a strong correlation between red flag signs and moderate- to high-risk infections.
"There is overuse of CT for odontogenic infections that is most prevalent in low-risk infections without indicative findings in the workup. [These] findings can help accurately diagnose a higher-risk infection before subjecting a patient to CT," the study authors concluded.
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The retrospective, cross-sectional study was designed to determine the rate of CT overuse for odontogenic infections. Researchers determined a CT was unnecessary if patients were present without "red flags," which included voice change, elevated floor of mouth, signs of inflammation of deep fascial spaces and more.
Of the 470 patients featured in the study, 389 of their CT scans were conducted. Around 55.6 percent (220 CT scans) were deemed unnecessary. The unnecessary scans were more likely to be performed in patients with low-risk infections.
Researchers found a strong correlation between red flag signs and moderate- to high-risk infections.
"There is overuse of CT for odontogenic infections that is most prevalent in low-risk infections without indicative findings in the workup. [These] findings can help accurately diagnose a higher-risk infection before subjecting a patient to CT," the study authors concluded.
More articles on dental:
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Alaska proposes eliminating Medicaid's preventive dental coverage for adults