Avaliação radiográfica para detecção das lesões em maxila e mandíbula em crianças brasileiras: estudo piloto

Abstract

Maxillomandibular lesions in the pediatric population are often identified incidentally during imaging examinations. The aim of the present study was to radiographically evaluate maxillary and mandibular lesions in Brazilian children aged 6 to 12 years. This descriptive cross-sectional observational study was conducted through the evaluation of 500 digital panoramic radiographs from the five regions of Brazil (North, Northeast, Southeast, South, and Midwest), obtained from an image database and originally acquired independently of the present research, with 100 radiographs analyzed from each region. The images were examined by a previously calibrated examiner, who recorded the patients’ age and sex. Subsequently, the radiographs were evaluated for the presence of maxillary and mandibular lesions and, when identified, were assessed regarding anatomical location, association with impacted teeth, radiographic characteristics, effects on adjacent structures, and diagnostic hypothesis. Lesions were identified in 48 radiographs (9.6%). The highest frequency of lesions was observed in the South region, whereas the lowest frequency was found in the North region. Radiolucent, unilocular, well-defined lesions associated with impacted teeth predominated. Tooth displacement was the most frequent effect on adjacent structures. Dentigerous cyst was the most common diagnostic hypothesis in all Brazilian regions, followed by periapical lesions. It was concluded that maxillomandibular lesions showed a low frequency in the studied population and were predominantly benign, presenting radiographic features compatible with slow-growing odontogenic lesions. Panoramic radiography proved to be an important method for identifying these alterations, contributing to early diagnosis and appropriate treatment planning.