Satereh Lavasani - CBCT & Imaging-2025 CSPD Saturday Session 1 CBCT & Imaging Speaker Satereh Lavasani

Video Transcription

Video Summary

Dr. Setare Lavosani, an oral and maxillofacial radiology specialist, delivered a comprehensive lecture focusing on the critical role of imaging in diagnosing maxillofacial pathologies, radiation safety, and updated guidelines on patient shielding. She emphasized three pillars for timely, accurate diagnosis: selecting appropriate imaging modalities (2D panoramic, periapical, or 3D Cone Beam CT), developing strong interpretation skills, and an interdisciplinary team approach involving radiologists, pathologists, and surgeons.<br /><br />Through detailed clinical cases, Dr. Lavosani illustrated how subtle radiographic signs—such as loss of lamina dura, permeative (salt and pepper) bone changes, irregular lesion borders, and cortical perforations—can indicate aggressive, malignant conditions like lymphomas, squamous cell carcinoma, or metastatic cancers, even in young patients. She stressed the importance of escalating suspicious cases for 3D imaging and biopsy.<br /><br />On maxillary sinus evaluation, she highlighted that panoramic radiographs lack sensitivity in detecting sinusitis or sinus pathology, recommending cone beam CT for thorough assessment, especially for obstruction of the osmeatal complex and differentiation between benign sinus opacities and neoplasms.<br /><br />Regarding temporomandibular joint disorders, Dr. Lavosani reviewed imaging signs of osteoarthritis, internal derangements, and juvenile idiopathic arthritis. She underscored that radiographic findings do not always correlate with symptoms, advocating for combined cone beam CT and MRI for bone and soft tissue evaluation.<br /><br />Finally, she addressed radiation biology and protection. She clarified that dental imaging doses are multiple orders of magnitude below harmful thresholds established from atomic bomb survivor data. Recent ADA guidelines recommend eliminating lead shielding for dental X-rays due to extremely low radiation levels and advanced digital technology with rectangular collimation. She encouraged clinicians to communicate radiation risks effectively, comparing doses to everyday background radiation, and to ensure imaging is justified and optimized for patient safety.<br /><br />Overall, this lecture underscored the vital diagnostic value of advanced imaging in pediatric dentistry and oral medicine, while promoting evidence-based radiation safety practices.

Keywords

oral and maxillofacial radiology

imaging modalities

2D panoramic radiograph

periapical radiograph

3D Cone Beam CT

radiation safety

patient shielding guidelines

radiographic interpretation

interdisciplinary team

maxillofacial pathologies

lymphoma diagnosis

squamous cell carcinoma

maxillary sinus evaluation

temporomandibular joint disorders

juvenile idiopathic arthritis