E Honda1, M Domon, T Sasaki, N Obayashi, M Ida. 1. Department of Dental Radiology and Radiation Research, Faculty of Dentistry, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Japan.
Abstract
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: The sialographic ductal patterns of the parotid glands in patients with Sjögren syndrome were compared with those of normal patients by measuring the fractal dimensions. METHODS: Fractal dimensions were estimated using the modified pixel dilation method. RESULTS: The mean fractal dimension was 1.64 +/- 0.06 for the normal glands and 1.39 +/- 0.10 for the glands with Sjögren syndrome (P < .005). No correlation between the age or sex and fractal dimension was observed for both groups. In Sjögren syndrome, a significant difference in the fractal dimension was observed between the subgroup having punctuate fillings with a diameter less than 1 mm and the subgroup from 1 to 2 mm (P < .001). CONCLUSION: The fractal dimension is useful as a numeric grading of the complexity of the ductal pattern and the progression of parotid disease.
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: The sialographic ductal patterns of the parotid glands in patients with Sjögren syndrome were compared with those of normal patients by measuring the fractal dimensions. METHODS: Fractal dimensions were estimated using the modified pixel dilation method. RESULTS: The mean fractal dimension was 1.64 +/- 0.06 for the normal glands and 1.39 +/- 0.10 for the glands with Sjögren syndrome (P < .005). No correlation between the age or sex and fractal dimension was observed for both groups. In Sjögren syndrome, a significant difference in the fractal dimension was observed between the subgroup having punctuate fillings with a diameter less than 1 mm and the subgroup from 1 to 2 mm (P < .001). CONCLUSION: The fractal dimension is useful as a numeric grading of the complexity of the ductal pattern and the progression of parotid disease.