Variantes anatómicas más comunes observadas en Rx 2D de pacientes de 20-50 años que acuden a un centro radiológico de la ciudad de Guayaquil.

Abstract

Introduction: Panoramic radiography is essential in dental and maxillofacial diagnosis. However, it can reveal anatomical variants that, while not pathological, could be mistaken for clinically relevant conditions. Objective: To determine the prevalence and distribution of anatomical variants in panoramic radiographs of patients aged 20 to 50 years at a radiology center in Guayaquil. Materials and Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted on 2000 panoramic radiographs taken between 2021 and 2023 at C&M Imágenes, Medicina y Salud radiology center. Anatomical variants and their relationship with patient age and sex were analyzed. Results: Anatomical variants were identified in 325 cases (16.25%). Alveolar pneumatization was the most frequent (39.08%), followed by intrasinus septa (35.69%) and tuberosity pneumatization (19.38%). Most cases were found in patients aged 20 to 30 years. Maxillary and mandibular tori were less common, and Stafne bone defects were identified in only 1.54% of cases. Conclusion: The prevalence of anatomical variants in panoramic radiographs is significant and can influence dental treatment planning. These findings emphasize the need for careful evaluation to avoid misdiagnosis and highlight the importance of conducting further studies to better understand these variants in different populations.