Manas Dave looks at a review of the diagnostic accuracy of blood and salivary microRNAs (miRNAs) in discriminating oral squamous cell carcinoma. The review included 20 cross-sectional studies and suggested moderate diagnostic accuracy and higlights a potential are for larger scale studies.
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This review of the accuracy of different methods for detecting carious lesions in primary and permanent teeth compares visual inspection, radiographs and fluorescence-based detection. 240 studies were included and the findings suggest that visual inspection was adequate for most patients.
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This review of the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound in differentiating periapical lesions of endodontic origin in comparison with histopathology included 12 studies. While the findings suggest good levels of sensitifity and specificity for diagnosing periapical cysts and granulomasthere are concerns regarding the quality of the evidence.
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This review of the use of as a sample for the detection of SARS-COV-2 included 22 studies ( 2 case reports, 17 case series and 3 mass screenings) while SARS-CoV-2 is detected in saliva additional high quality studies are needed to determine efficacy.
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This Cochrane review of the diagnostic accuracy of different electrical conductance devices for the detection and diagnosis of non-cavitated coronal dental caries included 7 studies. The quality of the studies mean we are very uncertain of how electrical conductance devices are in detecting and diagnosing early tooth decay.
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This Cochrane review of the diagnostic accuracy of different dental imaging methods for early enamel lesions included 104 datasets from 77 studies. Low-certainty evidence suggests that imaging for the detection or diagnosis of early tooth decay may result in a relatively high proportion of false-negative results.
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This Cochrane diagnostic test accuracy review of fluorescence-based devices for the detection and diagnosis of enamel caries included 131 studies with 114 datasets from 79 studies contributing to the meta-analyses.
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This Cochrane review assessing the diagnostic test accuracy of index tests for the detection and diagnosis of root caries in adults included 4 studies and 4997 root surfaces. The studies were all at high risk of bias meaning the available evidence is of very low certainty
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Manas Dave looks at a recent review of which considers the efficacy of optical fluorescence imaging as an adjunct to clinical oral examination for the detection of oral mucosal lesions. The review includes 27 studies and provides evidence to support additional high quality studies to assess its effectiveness.
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Saliva has been suggested as having potential diagnostic value in COVID-19 patients. In this blog Manas Dave looks at a recent review of the subject which included 28 studies.
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