title: Dental diagnostic X-ray exposure and risk of benign and malignant brain tumors.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study evaluates the risk of benign brain tumors (BBTs) and malignant brain tumors (MBTs) associated with dental diagnostic X-ray, using a large population-based case-control study.
  
  
  METHODS
  We identified 4123 BBT cases and 16 492 controls without BBT (study 1) and 197 MBT cases and 788 controls without MBT (study 2) from Taiwan National Health Insurance claim data. The risks of both types of tumor were estimated in association with the frequency of received dental diagnostic X-ray.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean ages were ~44.2 years in study 1 and 40.6 years in study 2. Multivariable unconditional logistic regression analysis showed that the risk of BBT increases as the frequency of received dental diagnostic X-ray increases. The BBT odds ratio increased from 1.33 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.22-1.44] for those with annual mean X-ray examination of less than one to 1.65 (95% CI 1.37-1.98) for those with three or more X-ray examinations, after controlling for comorbidities. No significant association was found between MBTs and dental diagnostic X-ray exposure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Exposure to dental diagnostic X-rays in oral and maxillofacial care increases the risk of BBTs, but not MBTs.
authors: Department of Nuclear Medicine, E-DA Hospital, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
authors: M C
authors: MC
authors: Lin
authors: C F
authors: CF
authors: Lee
authors: C L
authors: CL
authors: Lin
authors: Y C
authors: YC
authors: Wu
authors: H E
authors: HE
authors: Wang
authors: C L
authors: CL
authors: Chen
authors: F C
authors: FC
authors: Sung
authors: C H
authors: CH
authors: Kao
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009381:Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods; D011861:Radiography, Dental / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000639:trends; D012307:Risk Factors; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Taiwan Health Insurance; brain tumors; dental X-ray exposure