Sound waves for unsound entities: an electronic search study to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of ultrasonography in cysts and tumors of maxillofacial region.

OBJECTIVE:The purpose of this electronic search study was to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of ultrasonography in cysts and tumors of maxillofacial region. MATERIALS AND METHODS:An electronic search was performed for articles published from January 1989 to august 2009. RESULTS:Only 30 publications were searched and 22 publications showed high level of evidence (4 review articles, 12 clinical studies, 2 case reports, 1 quantitative analysis, 2 research articles and 1 preliminary report) with total of more than 2000 patients. CONCLUSION:Ultrasonography is a noninvasive, low cost procedure, and recommended as a complimentary imaging modality.