Imaging Techniques for Assessment of Cranio-maxillofacial Complications of Covid-19, A Systematic Review

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this review was to summarize and describe the reported imaging techniques used for COVID-19 patients who have developed cranio-maxillofacial complications. Methods: A systematic review of the literature was conducted using MEDLINE/PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus databases. Included articles were case reports/series, clinical trials and cross-sectional studies on adult COVID-19 patients that were written in English. Excluded articles were those discussing the radiological assessment of COVID-19 complications manifested in the oral mucosa or the extra-maxillofacial areas. Combinations of the following keywords were used: “COVID-19”, “Maxillofacial,” “complications,” “imaging,” “radiological,” “Mandible,” “Jaw,” “Osteonecrosis,” “cavernous sinus thrombosis,” and “mucormycosis.” Results: A total of 13 articles were included. Imaging techniques used were: magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computerized tomography (CT), multislice CT (MSCT), contrast-enhanced MRI, contrast-enhanced CT, and cone beam CT. These imaging techniques were used in the diagnosis of craniomaxillofacial complications of COVID-19, including sinusitis, cavernous sinus thrombosis, jaw osteomyelitis, cellulitis, vision loss, and mucormycosis. CT and its variants were the most commonly used techniques. Conclusion: Within the limitations of the included studies, which were mainly case reports, it can be concluded that imaging techniques that were employed in the diagnosis of craniomaxillofacial complications of COVID-19 were limited to MRI, CT and their variants. Despite the efficiency of the utilized imaging techniques, clinicians worldwide should be aware of the most effective and least risk-associated methods used in such circumstances.