Genotoxicity and cytotoxicity of cone beam computed tomography in children

Abstract

Background Dental radiographs are essential tools for diagnosis. However, there are significant concerns about the dangerous effect of radiation especially on children. The aim of this study was to evaluate genotoxicity and cytotoxicity in the exfoliated cells of buccal mucosa of children subjected to Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT). Methods The study included 18 healthy children aged (9–12 years) who were exposed to CBCT. All CBCT scans were performed with the i-CAT CBCT. Exfoliated buccal cells were scraped from the left and right cheek immediately before the exposure, after 10 ± 2 days, and after 1 month. Cells were stained using Feulgen/fast green stain and examined under light microscopy. Genotoxicity (Micronuclei) and cytotoxicity (condensed chromatin, karyorrhexis, pyknosis, and karyolysis) were scored. Statistical analysis was performed using the McNemar test, Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test, and Mann-Whitney U test at a significance level of p < 0.05. Results There were statistically significant differences in the mean percentages of micronuclei, condensed chromatin, karyorrhexis, pyknosis, and karyolysis before and 10 ± 2 days after the CBCT scan (p < 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in the frequency of micronuclei, condensed chromatin, karyorrhexis, or pyknosis before and 1 month after the exposure (p > 0.05) except for karyolysis (p < 0.05). Conclusions CBCT may induce genotoxicity and cytotoxicity in buccal mucosa cells of children. Therefore, CBCT should not be prescribed unless necessary as it cannot be considered a risk-free procedure.

Does cone-beam computed tomography examination increase the micronuclei frequency in the oral mucosa exfoliated cells? A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…According to the research of Altoukhi [ 18 ], gender is not a significant factor affecting the mean percentage of MN, condensed chromatin, karyorrhexis, pyknosis, or karyolysis. According to the study of Basha [ 19 ], there was no significant difference between the increase of MN cells and the age of patients.…”

“…In the literature included in the present system evaluation, there were inclusion and exclusion criteria for subjects to reduce other factors’ interference in the results. According to current studies [ 18 , 27 , 30 ], gender has no effect on the MN rate after an oral X-ray examination. However, whether age has an impact on the MN rate is still controversial.…”

“…The FOV ranged from 8 × 10 cm to All the included studies showed that the subjects had not received CBCT or other X-ray irradiation in the previous 16 days to 6 months. Samples were taken before CBCT exposure and 10 days after in all six studies, and additional analysis was conducted 1 month after CBCT scanning in Altoukhi's study [18]. All studies smeared the mucosa of the buccal.…”

“…As we suspected, these experimental results are contradictory regarding whether CBCT can cause genetic damage to cells. Basha [19], Altoukhi [18], and Mosavat [20] proved that the frequency of MN in oral exfoliated cells increased significantly 10 days after exposure to CBCT. However, Carlin [15], Lorenzoni [14], and Yang [16] did not find a statistical difference increase in MN frequency after exposure.…”

“…Some studies have shown that the frequency of MN in oral mucosal exfoliated cells increased significantly after CBCT examination [14][15][16], but there is still a controversy in the literature [17][18][19][20]. Therefore, the present systematic literature review aims to clarify whether CBCT examination increases the MN frequency in the oral mucosa exfoliated cells.…”