Guidelines for oral and maxillofacial imaging: COVID-19 considerations.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus causing the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, is not only highly infectious but can induce serious outcomes in vulnerable individuals including dental patients and dental health care personnel (DHCPs). Responses to COVID-19 have been published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Dental Association, but a more specific response is required for the safe practice of oral and maxillofacial radiology. We aim to review the current knowledge of how the disease threatens patients and DHCPs and how to determine which patients are likely to be SARS-CoV-2 infected; consider how the use of personal protective equipment and infection control measures based on current best practices and science can reduce the risk of disease transmission during radiologic procedures; and examine how intraoral radiography, with its potentially greater risk of spreading the disease, might be replaced by extraoral radiographic techniques for certain diagnostic tasks. This is complemented by a flowchart that can be displayed in all dental offices.

A systematic review of the literature of nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome affecting East Asians and North Europeans.

OBJECTIVE: To compare, by systematic review, North European and East Asian consecutive case series of nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome (NBCCS). STUDY DESIGN: A systematic review of the literature was performed for all consecutive case series of NBCCS, which included keratocystic odontgenic tumors (KCOTs) arising in North European and East Asian communities. The clinical and radiologically apparent features were identified and synthesized, and a meta-analysis was performed. RESULTS: East Asian reports were significantly more "proband only" compared with North European reports. Significant differences between these 2 communities were observed for 5 of the 6 major features and 11 of the 27 minor features. With regard to the major NBCCS features, the North Europeans displayed significantly more frequent basal cell carcinomas, calcified falx cerebri, palmar and plantar pits, and a family history, whereas the East Asians displayed KCOTs significantly more frequently. With regard to minor features, East Asians displayed significantly more frequent cleft lips and palates and hypertelorism. CONCLUSIONS: East Asians displayed multiple KCOTs and cleft lips and palates more frequently compared with North Europeans.

A consecutive case series of nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome affecting the Hong Kong Chinese.

OBJECTIVES: To identify the clinical and radiologic features of nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome (NBCCS) in the Hong Kong Chinese, particularly those of keratocystic odontogenic tumors (KCOTs), at first presentation at a dental hospital. STUDY DESIGN: A consecutive case series of NBCCS was identified in the University of Hong Kong Dental Hospital. RESULTS: All 5 Hong Kong NBCCS cases presented with symptoms arising from their KCOTs; 3 with swelling, 3 with pain, and 2 with nasal discharge. The cases exhibited 4 major features (KCOTs, calcified falx cerebri, palmar/plantar pits, and basal cell carcinoma) and 4 minor features (sella bridges, bossing, hypertelorism, and mandibular prognathism). The KCOTs were all unilocular. The tumors displaced teeth in 4 cases. Only 1 had root resorption. There were 2 nonsyndromic cases with multiple KCOTs. CONCLUSIONS: The unilocular presentation of the syndromic KCOTs was significantly greater than that of the solitary cases, arising within the same community over the same period. The other presenting features of the syndromic KCOTs did not differ from the solitary KCOTs. The recurrence rate of syndromic KCOTs was significantly greater than of the solitary KCOTs. Nonsyndromic cases with multiple KCOTs could be more common in East Asians.