Dental x-ray exposure is not associated with risk of meningioma: a 2019 meta-analysis

Objective: To determine the risk of developing meningiomas after exposure to various types of dental ionizing radiation at diagnostic levels. Method and materials: A literature review was conducted using databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, CINAHL, Clinical Key, and Web of Science. Data extracted from the studies were tabulated and a meta-analysis was performed using all relevant data. Results: Twelve articles related to the topic that met the selection criteria were initially included in the systematic review. After evaluating the methodology and statistical analysis of each study, six were ultimately included in the meta-analysis. A forest plot created using RevMan v5.3 software (Cochrane Collaboration) produced a weighted odds ratio of 1.13 (95% confidence interval, 1.06 to 1.19) for meningioma risk. Conclusions: Studies in the recent past have found a positive association between exposure to ionizing radiation and risk of developing meningiomas. In this study, no association was found between dental x-ray exposure and the development of meningioma. The data were weighted heavily for one of the subgroups due to a larger patient pool as noted via the forest plot. Regardless of the weighting, the majority of the subgroups showed no significant association, further strengthening this conclusion. Keywords: brain tumor, dental x-rays, ionizing radiation, meningioma, meta-analysis, risk assessment