Analysis of the reproducibility of the gray values and noise of a direct digital radiography system

The aim of this study was to evaluate the reproducibility of the gray values and noise of a direct digital radiography system (Visualix eHD) for various exposure times and analyzed regions. To obtain radiographic images in a standardized manner, the digital sensor of the system and a stepwedge were positioned in a phantom at a focus-film distance of 30 cm in a dental device at 70 kV, 7 mA and 2.2 mm filtration. Ten consecutive repetitions of X-ray imaging were performed at each exposure time (0.05, 0.07, 0.09 and 0.13 s). Gray values were analyzed using ImageJ software in five regions of interest (ROIs): alveolar bone (AB), soft tissue (ST) and three steps of the stepwedge (S1, S2 and S3). The results showed that both the variability of the gray values and the noise were statistically greater (p < 0.05) in the most radiolucent region (ST). Only the noise was affected by the exposure time. In conclusion, the reproducibility of the gray values and the noise of the Visualix eHD system can vary in specific areas with different radiolucency.

Radiological and histopathological evaluation of experimentally-induced periapical lesion in rats

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated experimentally-induced periapical bone loss sites using digital radiographic and histopathologic parameters. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-seven Wistar rats were submitted to coronal opening of their mandibular right first molars. They were radiographed at 2, 15 and 30 days after the operative procedure by two digital radiographic storage phosphor plates (Digora®). The images were analyzed by creating a region of interest at the periapical region of each tooth (ImageJ) and registering the corresponding pixel values. After the sacrifice, the specimens were submitted to microscopic analysis in order to confirm the pulpal and periapical status of the tooth. RESULTS: There was significant statistically difference between the control and test sides in all the experimental periods regarding the pixel values (two-way ANOVA; p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The microscopic analysis proved that a periapical disease development occurred during the experimental periods with an evolution from pulpal necrosis to periapical bone resorption.

Estudo microscópico morfométrico e genotípico de pacientes portadores de lesão central de células gigantes / Microscopic morphometric and genotypic assessment of patients with central giant cell lesions

A lesão central de células gigantes (LCCG) é uma afecção benigna dos maxilares, de comportamento biológico incerto, variando de discreta tumefação assintomática e de crescimento lento à uma forma agressiva, associada a dor, reabsorção radicular e óssea, com destruição cortical. Sua etiologia permanece desconhecida, havendo controvérsias entre processo reacional, neoplásico ou genético. Mutações no gene SH3BP2 foram identificadas em pacientes com querubismo, condição que compartilha várias características clínicas, radiográficas e histopatológicas com a LCCG. Para testar a hipótese de que tais mutações seriam responsáveis por, ou estariam associadas a LCCG e na tentativa de melhor entender a diferenciação microscópica/morfométrica das lesões agressivas e não agressivas, vinte e cinco pacientes portadores de LCCG foram selecionados para o estudo. O DNA foi obtido através do sangue e de espécimes em blocos de parafina, oriundos de biópsias e tratamento cirúrgico. Um estudo microscópico morfométrico foi paralelamente realizado, para avaliar o número de células gigantes e densidade de volume das mesmas nas lesões agressivas e não agressivas. O sequenciamento genético dos treze exons do gene SH3BP2 nos vinte e cinco pacientes estudados evidenciou uma alteração no códon do exon 4 em 10 pacientes. A densidade de volume de células gigantes foi maior nas lesões agressivas quando comparadas às não agressivas (p=0,013). Não houve diferença significante quanto ao número de células gigantes/mm2 em lesões agressivas e não agressivas (p =0,245).

Central giant cell lesion (CGCL) is a benign disease of the jaws, with uncertain behavior, ranging from mild asymptomatic slow-growing swelling to an aggressive form, with pain, radicular and bone resorption and cortical destruction. Its aetiology is still unknown and there is discussion whether it is a reactive, neoplastic or genetic disease. Mutations on gene SH3BP3 were identified in patients with cherubism, which shares several clinical, radiographic and histopathological features with CGCL. In order to test the hypothesis that such mutations would be responsible for or would be related to CGCL and also in order to better understand microscopic morphometric differentiation of the aggressive and non-aggressive lesions, 25 patients with CGCL were selected to this study. DNA was extracted from blood samples and from tissue samples, obtained by biopsy or surgical treatment. Microscopic morphometric assessment was also performed, in order to evaluate the number and the volume density of the giant cells in aggressive and in non-aggressive lesions. Gene sequencing of all 13 exons in gene SH3BP3, performed on each of the 25 patients, showed an alteration in one codon from exon 4, in ten patients. Volume density of giant cells was greater in aggressive lesions than in non-aggressive ones (p=0,013). There was no significant difference on the number of giant cells per mm2 when comparing aggressive and non-aggressive lesions.