Aditya Tadinada1, Sydney Schneider2, Sumit Yadav3. 1. 1 Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, University of Connecticut, School of Dental Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA. 2. 2 University of Connecticut, School of Dental Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA. 3. 3 Division of Orthodontics, University of Connecticut, School of Dental Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Reliable three-dimensional localization of the inferior alveolar nerve canal (IANC) is valuable for a variety of dentoalveolar procedures. Although conventional CBCT offers three-dimensional information at a reasonably low dose, it is still a significant amount of radiation. In this ex vivo study, we evaluated the ability of a 180° rotational CBCT acquisition protocol with lower number of basis projections to create a CBCT data set for reliable localization of the IANC compared with a conventional 360° rotational CBCT acquisition. METHODS: 50 dry human skulls were imaged using 180° and 360° rotational CBCT protocols. Measurements of the IANC throughout its course in the mandible were carried out. Two raters evaluated the measurements and rated the scans based on their ability to visualize the IANC, and the measurements were carried out. RESULTS: The IANC length measurements for the 180° and 360° protocols were identical. There was no difference between evaluations by the two raters for the two protocols. Interexaminer reliability values were >90% for the two protocols. The sensitivity values for the two protocols were >95%. The specificity for both protocols was 100%. CONCLUSIONS: 180° CBCT acquisition protocol is able to accurately locate the IANC with high reliability and is comparable to a conventional 360° protocol.
OBJECTIVES: Reliable three-dimensional localization of the inferior alveolar nerve canal (IANC) is valuable for a variety of dentoalveolar procedures. Although conventional CBCT offers three-dimensional information at a reasonably low dose, it is still a significant amount of radiation. In this ex vivo study, we evaluated the ability of a 180° rotational CBCT acquisition protocol with lower number of basis projections to create a CBCT data set for reliable localization of the IANC compared with a conventional 360° rotational CBCT acquisition. METHODS: 50 dry human skulls were imaged using 180° and 360° rotational CBCT protocols. Measurements of the IANC throughout its course in the mandible were carried out. Two raters evaluated the measurements and rated the scans based on their ability to visualize the IANC, and the measurements were carried out. RESULTS: The IANC length measurements for the 180° and 360° protocols were identical. There was no difference between evaluations by the two raters for the two protocols. Interexaminer reliability values were >90% for the two protocols. The sensitivity values for the two protocols were >95%. The specificity for both protocols was 100%. CONCLUSIONS: 180° CBCT acquisition protocol is able to accurately locate the IANC with high reliability and is comparable to a conventional 360° protocol.
Authors: Erika Benavides; Hector F Rios; Scott D Ganz; Chang-Hyeon An; Randolph Resnik; Gayle Tieszen Reardon; Steven J Feldman; James K Mah; David Hatcher; Myung-Jin Kim; Dong-Seok Sohn; Ady Palti; Morton L Perel; Kenneth W M Judy; Carl E Misch; Hom-Lay Wang Journal: Implant Dent Date: 2012-04 Impact factor: 2.454