RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the accuracy of flat-panel volume computed tomography (fpVCT) to histopathologic evaluation of excised tumors of the jaws in the detection of the degree of tumor infiltration, the presence of tumor at the resection margins, and the sizes of lesions. STUDY DESIGN: This preliminary study included 47 patients undergoing jaw resection for tumor invasion of bone. The specimens were examined by histology and 3-dimensional fpVCT, and the parameters of bone infiltration, resection margins, and tumor size were determined. RESULTS: In 95.7% of cases, the fpVCT results of tumorous bone infiltration were in accordance with the histologic findings. An examination of the resection margins showed 100% concordance between the 2 methods, and all resection margins were found to be clear in both fpVCT and the histologic examination. Identical pathologic and nonpathologic results were seen with the use of both diagnostic methods. Radiologic estimates of tumor size were larger than histologic measurements in the case of small tumors but the true sizes of the larger lesions were underestimated. CONCLUSIONS: The intraoperative diagnostic gap can be closed by using fpVCT to investigate bone destruction, allowing one-step resections and reconstructions to become more reliable.
