Role of Technetium Scans in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the role of technetium-99m scans in the diagnosis of various pathologies in the field of oral and maxillofacial surgery.

Materials and methods: The PubMed database was searched for articles between January 2010 to November 2020 with the inclusion of studies in English on various pathologies in the field of oral and maxillofacial surgery. Randomised control trials (RCT), non-Randomised control trials (non-RCT), systematic review, meta-analysis, case reports were included. Studies on animal models were excluded. Total of 31 articles were included for this review.

Results A Total of (n=679) patients had been subjected to technetium scans with its application majorly seen in sentinel node biopsy for squamous cell carcinoma followed by for TMJ/ condylar disorders.

Conclusion Technetium-99m scan is the efficient diagnostic modality of the future in diagnosing various pathologies affecting the oral and maxillofacial region.