Intravenous contrast media application using cone-beam computed tomography in a rabbit model

PURPOSE: This study was performed to evaluate the feasibility of visualizing soft tissue lesions and vascular structures using contrast-enhanced cone-beam computed tomography (CE-CBCT) after the intravenous administration of a contrast medium in an animal model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CBCT was performed on six rabbits after a contrast medium was administered using an injection dose of 2 mL/kg body weight and an injection rate of 1 mL/s via the ear vein or femoral vein under general anesthesia. Artificial soft tissue lesions were created through the transplantation of autologous fatty tissue into the salivary gland. Volume rendering reconstruction, maximum intensity projection, and multiplanar reconstruction images were reconstructed and evaluated in order to visualize soft tissue contrast and vascular structures. RESULTS: The contrast enhancement of soft tissue was possible using all contrast medium injection parameters. An adequate contrast medium injection parameter for facilitating effective CE-CBCT was a 5-mL injection before exposure combined with a continuous 5-mL injection during scanning. Artificial soft tissue lesions were successfully created in the animals. The CE-CBCT images demonstrated adequate opacification of the soft tissues and vascular structures. CONCLUSION: Despite limited soft tissue resolution, the opacification of vascular structures was observed and artificial soft tissue lesions were visualized with sufficient contrast to the surrounding structures. The vascular structures and soft tissue lesions appeared well delineated in the CE-CBCT images, which was probably due to the superior spatial resolution of CE-CBCT compared to other techniques, such as multislice computed tomography.

The incidence and configuration of the bifid mandibular canal in Koreans by using cone-beam computed tomography

PURPOSE: This study was performed to investigate the incidence and configuration of the bifid mandibular canal in a Korean population by using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CBCT images of 1933 patients (884 male and 1049 female) were evaluated using PSR-9000N and Alphard-Vega 3030 Dental CT units (Asahi Roentgen Ind. Co., Ltd, Kyoto, Japan). Image analysis was performed by using OnDemand3D software (CyberMed Inc., Seoul, Korea). The bifid mandibular canal was identified and classified into four types, namely, the forward canal, buccolingual canal, dental canal, and retromolar canal. Statistical analysis was performed by using the chi-squared test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). RESULTS: Bifid mandibular canals were observed in 198 (10.2%) of 1933 patients. The most frequently observed type of bifid mandibular canal was the retromolar canal (n=104, rate: 52.5%) without any significant difference among the incidence of each age and gender. The mean diameter of the accessory canal was 1.27 mm (range: 0.27-3.29 mm) without any significant difference among the mean diameter of each type of the bifid mandibular canal. The mean length of the bifid mandibular canals was 14.97mm(range: 2.17-38.8 mm) with only a significant difference between the dental canal and the other types. CONCLUSION: The bifid mandibular canal is not uncommon in Koreans and has a prevalence of 10.2% as indicated in the present study. It is suggested that a CBCT examination be recommended for detecting a bifid canal.

Primary intraosseous squamous cell carcinoma mimicking periapical disease: a case report

Primary intraosseous squamous cell carcinoma (PIOSCC) is a rare carcinoma, which arises within the jaws without connection to the oral mucosa and presumably develops from a remnant of odontogenic epithelium. We present a case of solid type PIOSCC in a 52-year-old male patient complaining of dull pain on his left lower molar. In this case, early stage PIOSCC mimicking a periapical lesion might lead to a one-year delay in treatment due to the misdiagnosis of osteomyelitis after extraction of the third molar. The clinical, radiological, and histologic features are described. In this case, there was initial radiographic evidence for PIOSCC mimicking a periapical lesion. Incautious radiographic interpretation and treatment procedures had delayed the correct diagnosis and resulted in extensive bony destruction during the patient's disease progression.

Aspergilloma of the maxillary sinus: report of a case / 대한구강악안면방사선학회지

Aspergilloma of the paranasal sinus is a non-invasive form of aspergillosis, most often in the maxillary sinus. This case presents an 86-year-old female with aspergilloma of the left maxillary sinus. The patient's chief complaint was intermittent pain on the left maxillary first premolar area. A radiopacification of the left maxillary sinus was observed on the panoramic radiograph. Cone-beam computed tomography revealed complete radiopacification of the left maxillary sinus and scattered multiple radiopaque mass inside the lesion. Biopsy was performed under local anesthesia. On microscopic examination, numerous fungal hyphae, which branch at acute angle, were observed. The diagnosis was made as an aspergilloma based on the histopatholgic examination.

Aneurysmal bone cyst of the mandibular condyle with condylar neck fracture / 대한구강악안면방사선학회지

Aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC) is relatively rare, non-neoplastic expansile lesion of bone. The case of a 15-year-old male with a ABC of the left mandibular condyle is presented. Panoramic radiograph showed a unilocular radiolucency with thinned coritces and a subcondylar fracuture which was due to the trauma. Computed tomography (CT) revealed expansile lesion which had similar attenuation soft tissue. The patient was treated surgically including iliac crestal bone graft.