title: [Analysis of imaging findings in jaw bone islands].
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 radiographic 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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Recognition of BIs variation is significant in dental examinations.
authors.forename: Na
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Hu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Meng
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Laiqing
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Meng
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: You
authors.forename: Yuanyuan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Jiayin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ren
authors.forename: Shuping
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zhao
mesh_terms: D001641:Bicuspid; D002681:China; D006801:Humans; D008334:Mandible; D008963:Molar; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic; D012189:Retrospective Studies