Digital panoramic radiography for diagnosis of the temporomandibular joint: CBCT as the gold standard

Three-dimensional imaging modalities have been reported to be more accurate than panoramic radiographs (PR) for the assessment of bone components of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). No exact prior information is available that demonstrates which specific limitations occur in terms of TMJ diagnosis when using PR for this purpose. This study aimed to assess the clinical validity of digital panoramic radiography (DPR) when diagnosing morphological disorders of the TMJ using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images as the gold standard. A sample composed of TMJ images (N = 848), including 212 DPR and 212 CBCT images obtained from the same patient, was used to assess any morphological changes in the TMJ. Four appraisers diagnosed all of the DPR images, whereas the CBCT images were used to establish the gold standard. The reliability of each appraiser’s response pattern was analyzed using the Kappa test (κ), and diagnostic tests were performed to assess each appraiser’s performance using a significance level setting of 5% (α = 0.05). Reliability of each appraiser’s response pattern compared to the gold standard ranged from a slight-to-moderate agreement (0.18 ≤ κ ≤ 0.45); and among the different appraisers, the response pattern showed a fair agreement (0.22 ≤ κ ≤ 0.39). Diagnostic tests showed a wide range among the different possible morphological changes diagnosed. DPR does not have validity when diagnosing morphological changes in the TMJ; it underestimates the radiological findings with higher prevalence, and thus, it cannot be used effectively as a diagnostic tool for bone components within this region.

Vertical bone measurements from cone beam computed tomography images using different software packages

This article aimed at comparing the accuracy of linear measurement tools of different commercial software packages. Eight fully edentulous dry mandibles were selected for this study. Incisor, canine, premolar, first molar and second molar regions were selected. Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images were obtained with i-CAT Next Generation. Linear bone measurements were performed by one observer on the cross-sectional images using three different software packages: XoranCat®, OnDemand3D® and KDIS3D®, all able to assess DICOM images. In addition, 25% of the sample was reevaluated for the purpose of reproducibility. The mandibles were sectioned to obtain the gold standard for each region. Intraclass coefficients (ICC) were calculated to examine the agreement between the two periods of evaluation; the one-way analysis of variance performed with the post-hoc Dunnett test was used to compare each of the software-derived measurements with the gold standard. The ICC values were excellent for all software packages. The least difference between the software-derived measurements and the gold standard was obtained with the OnDemand3D and KDIS3D (-0.11 and -0.14 mm, respectively), and the greatest, with the XoranCAT (+0.25 mm). However, there was no statistical significant difference between the measurements obtained with the different software packages and the gold standard (p> 0.05). In conclusion, linear bone measurements were not influenced by the software package used to reconstruct the image from CBCT DICOM data.

Sonocubic fine: new three-dimensional ultrasound software to the screening of congenital heart diseases / Sonocubic fine: novo software de ultrassonografia tridimensional para o rastreamento das doenças cardíacas congênitas

Congenital heart disease is the most common fetal congenital malformations; however, the prenatal rate detection still is low. The two-dimensional echocardiography is the "gold standard" exam to screening and diagnosis of congenital heart disease during the prenatal; however, this exam is operator-depending and it is realized only in high risk pregnancies. Spatio-temporal image correlation is a three-dimensional ultrasound software that analyses the fetal heart and your connections in the multiplanar and rendering modes; however, spatio-temporal image correlation too is operator-depending and time-consuming. We presenting a new three-dimensional software named Sonocubic fine to the screening of congenital heart disease. This software applies intelligent navigation technology to spatio-temporal image correlation volume datasets to automatically generate nine fetal echocardiography standard views. Thus, this new software tends to be less operator-depending and time-consuming.

Doenças cardíacas congênitas são as malformações congênitas mais frequentes, entretanto, a detecção pré-natal ainda permanece baixa. A ecocardiografia bidimensional é o "padrão-ouro" para o rastreamento e diagnóstico das doenças cardíacas congênitas durante o pré-natal, entretanto, é operador dependente e realizada somente em gestantes de alto risco. Spatio-temporal image correlation é um software de ultrassonografia tridimensional que analisa o coração fetal e suas conexões vasculares nos modos multiplanar e superfície, contudo, também é operador dependente e consome muito tempo. Apresentamos um novo software: Sonocubic fine para o rastreamento das doenças cardíacas congênitas. Este software aplica a inteligência da tecnologia de navegação em volumes de spatio-temporal image correlation para automaticamente gerar nove planos ecocardiográficos padrões. Além disso, esta técnica tende a ser menos operador dependente e consumir menor tempo.

Tomographic assessment of the spine in children with spondylocostal dysotosis syndrome

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to perform a detailed tomographic analysis of the skull base, craniocervical junction, and the entire spine in seven patients with spondylocostal dysostosis syndrome. METHOD: Detailed scanning images have been organized in accordance with the most prominent clinical pathology. The reasons behind plagiocephaly, torticollis, short immobile neck, scoliosis and rigid back have been detected. Radiographic documentation was insufficient modality. RESULTS: Detailed computed tomography scans provided excellent delineation of the osseous abnormality pattern in our patients. CONCLUSION: This article throws light on the most serious osseous manifestations of spondylocostal dysostosissyndrome.

Three-dimensional scanning with dual-source computed tomography in patients with acute skeletal trauma

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the efficiency of multiplanar reformatted images and threedimensional images created after multidetector computed tomography examination in detecting acute posttraumatic osseous pathology of the skeletal system. METHOD: Between October 2006 and December 2008, 105 patients with a history of acute trauma were referred to our service. Patients were evaluated with multidetector computed tomography using multiplanary reconstructed images initially (R-I), and six months after this initial evaluation, three-dimensional images were assessed of each patient (R-II). Axial images were used for guiding as a reference Data obtained was recorded and graded according to importance levels of the pathologies. RESULTS: The R-II score was higher in the non-articular and highest in periartricular fractures of the extremities, and thoracic and pelvic cage injuries. For the spinal column, while R-I data was more significant In patients referred with polytrauma, R-II data, was more statistically significant, for short processing and adaptation time to acquiring immediate critical information. For all cases it was seen that three dimensional scans were more efficient in providing the orientation, within a short time. CONCLUSION: By dual source multidedector tomography systems trauma patients may be evaluated by multiplanary and three dimensionally reconstructed images. When used correctly, three dimensional imaging is advantageous and can help determine the exact nature and extension and also importance of osseous injuries.