Abstract:

 Objective To provide reference data on frequency and distribution of bone islands (BIs) and investigate their relationship with age, gender, and localization. Methods  A population who received a pretreatment and at least one follow-up panoramic radiograph in the Department of Oral Radiology, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, were selected for this retrospective study. A sample population of 29 556 patients (12 824 males and 16 732 females) with different dental complaints and ages ranging from 8 to 80 years (mean age: 23.95 years) were included. Results  In the radio-graphic evaluation, BIs appeared as localized, well-defined, non-expansile, radiopaque masses which were round, elliptic, or irregular in shape. Their sizes varied from a few millimeters to about 2 cm in diameter. A total of 598 radiopacities were detected, and 545 patients of 29 556 patients (1.84%) had BIs. Among subjects with multiple lesions, 49 patients had 2 BIs and 2 patients had 3 BIs. The BIs had immense mandibular predilection, with presentation primarily in the premolar/molar region. The condition appeared to have no tendencies based on sex. Conclusion  Recognition of BIs variation is significant indentalexaminations.

Key words: enostosis, bone islands, imaging findings