Smokin’ Hot Radiology

Course Details


Friday, September 25, 2020
8:30 – 4:00 pm
7 MCE credits

Speaker: Laurie Carter, DDS, PhD


Radiographic Patterns of Disease

When confronted with a lesion on a radiograph, your first step is to develop a complete radiographic description of the problem. This module presents the various patterns which must be mentioned in the description. A solid and complete radiographic description is essential for developing a proper differential diagnosis and determining what additional information is required to reach the definitive diagnosis.

Learning objectives of this module:

  • Be able to list the patterns which must be included in radiographic description of pathosis, inclusive of numerical distribution, borders, location, architecture, texture, density, and effects on adjacent teeth and other structures.

256 Shades of Grey: The Greatest Hits in Radiographic Pathology of the Jaws

This module builds on Radiographic Patterns of Disease by offering a simple but effective method of cataloging gnathic radiographic pathoses. Differential diagnoses will be formulated and followed by discussion of demographics, biological behavior, current management strategies and prognosis. We will cover unilocular radiolucencies in periapical, circumcoronal and miscellaneous locations, multilocular radiolucencies, radiolucencies with ill-defined or ragged borders, multifocal radiolucencies, radiopacities with well-defined borders and those with poorly-demarcated borders, multifocal radiopacities, mixed radiolucent-radiopaque pathoses, lesions with unique radiopaque presentations and soft tissue radiopacities. Tune up your knowledge of radiographic pathology of the jaws before you encounter another lesion on your patient’s imaging study.

Learning objectives of this module:

  • Be able to develop a differential diagnosis for jaw lesions on the basis of radiographic density, numerical distribution, architecture or texture and lesional borders.
  • Discuss the biologic behavior of lesions of the mandible and maxilla.
  • Identify radiographic pathoses in which location is critical.
  • Discuss current treatment approaches for radiographic pathoses of the jaws.

Lumps and Bumps: Benign and Malignant Osseous Tumors of the Jaws

There are a variety of tumors arising from bone or cartilage which can present in the jaws.  Some represent hamartomas, while others are true benign or malignant neoplasms. All impact management of the dental patient; some are fairly innocuous, some are associated with systemic conditions, some are quite destructive and still others are associated with high mortality rates.  This course offers a review of the demographics, etiopathogenesis, clinical presentation, radiographic and histopathologic features and current recommendations for treatment and management of this potpourri of osseous pathoses.

Learning objectives of this module:

  • Recognize common osseous hamartomas and understand how they may influence dental management of a particular patient.
  • Have a thorough understanding of benign tumors of cartilage and bone, be aware of their distribution throughout the body and in the jaws, and be cognizant of their clinical manifestations and growth potential relative to each other.
  • Be aware of the controversy regarding whether or not there really is a benign tumor of cartilage.
  • Have a thorough understanding of the nature and behavior of the primary malignancies of bone and cartilage.
  • Be familiar with neoplasms which arise from the marrow elements of bone.
  • Recognize the clinical and radiographic appearance of metastases to the jaws.

Differential Diagnosis of Soft Tissue Calcifications – The Stone Man Cometh: Reasons and Seasons for Soft Tissue Lithiasis (Calcifications)

Soft tissue calcification refers to pathologic mineralization of soft tissues which arises in a variety of unrelated disorders and degenerative processes.  Soft tissue calcification occurs in certain cutaneous tumors, scars, metabolic and inflammatory conditions.  Pathologic calcifications of the cervicofacial soft tissues are often detected on plain or panoramic radiographs.  Some require no intervention, while others may have serious implications.  Therefore, a precise diagnosis should be achieved in all cases to determine the need for further workup or surveillance.

Learning objectives of this module:

  • Distinguish between dystrophic and metastatic mechanisms of calcification.
  • Distinguish between lymph node calcification and sialoliths on the basis of clinical and radiographic findings.
  • Understand the etiology and genesis of sialoliths.
  • Understand the etiology, clinical manifestations and implications of tonsilloliths.
  • Be aware of the mechanism of formation and clinical significance of antroliths and rhinoliths.
  • Distinguish between phleboliths and arterial calcifications on panoramic radiographs.
  • Recognize the implication of the presence of phleboliths in the head and neck area.
  • Recognize conditions in which arterial calcification can occur, distinguish between medial calcinosis and calcified atherosclerotic plaque.
  • Describe the clinical presentation of Eagle’s syndrome and what produces this condition.
  • Be able to distinguish calcified atherosclerotic plaque from laryngeal cartilage calcification.
  • Understand the mechanism of formation of the crystal-induced arthropathies and their significance in the chronic renal failure patient.
  • Recognize the clinical manifestations of tumoral calcinosis and be aware of its radiographic appearance.
  • Be familiar with the clinical and radiographic features of osseous choristoma, calcified acne and miliary osteomas.
  • Be cognizant of the life cycle of Taenia solium and the evolution and manifestations of cysticercosis.
  • Be able to differentiate the soft tissue calcifications in autoimmune disorders from those which occur in tumoral calcinosis.
  • Be familiar with the types of metastases which have osteoblastic potential.

Systemic Disorders Associated with Heightened Periodontal Pathosis

This course reviews a variety of generalized conditions which impact negatively on the periodontium and the prognosis for retention of the dentition.  These range from heavy metal intoxication to vitamin deficiencies, inflammatory and metabolic disorders, systemic diseases transmitted by mendelian patterns of inheritance, to infection with the human immunodeficiency virus.  It is incumbent on the dentist to be aware of these conditions and their presentation, both for the purposes of rendering the primary diagnosis and to ensure timely treatment, when available, to ameliorate the ravages of these conditions on the periodontium, thereby reducing tooth loss.

Learning objectives of this module:

  • Be familiar with the clinical manifestations and diagnostic features of those conditions which are characterized by premature bone loss with gingival inflammation.
  • Be cognizant of the clinical manifestations and diagnostic features of those conditions which are characterized by alveolar bone loss with or without gingivitis.
  • Be familiar with conditions characterized by localized or generalized widening of periodontal ligament spaces.
  • Be aware of which of the above conditions have treatment protocols available to reduce the rate of alveolar bone loss and enhance retention of the dentition.

Tell-Tale Radiographic Features of Disease in the Jaws: The Good, the Indifferent and the Ominous for Your Patient

The program will wrap up with a challenging series of case presentations, offering radiographic pearls to assist the learner with the diagnostic process.

Audience: Hygienists, Dentists, Dental Assistants