Evaluation of Cone-Beam Computed Tomography Scans to Develop a Staging Method of External Carotid Artery Calcification.

The objective of this study was to develop a practical staging method for reporting external carotid artery calcifications (ECACs) using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging, specifically to standardize reporting for oral and maxillofacial radiologists. This retrospective study evaluated 489 CBCT scans for the presence of ECACs. Two calibrated evaluators assessed the scans in all three orthogonal planes, using the axial plane to develop the staging system.

Prevalence of likely retro-odontoid pseudotumor in patients receiving dental CBCT examinations.

Objectives: We calculated the prevalence of unsuspected retro-odontoid pseudotumor (ROP) as detected in cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) examinations. Additionally, we examined patient age, sex, and presence and severity of cervical osteoarthritis (OA) as potential risk factors for ROP.

Study Design: We retrospectively analyzed de-identified CBCT scans of 455 patients from the Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology at the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine.

Prevalence and Clinical Significance of Incidental Findings in the Maxillofacial Complex of Adolescent Orthodontic Patients: A Retrospective Cone Beam Computed Tomography Analysis.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and severity of incidental findings in the maxillofacial complex of orthodontic patients imaged with cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and assign those findings an appropriate clinical significance.

Methodology: Incidental findings (IF) were identified in 250 CBCT scans of adolescent orthodontic patients (aged 13-18 years) with a large field-of-view and categorized based on their anatomic location and placed into one of six subgroups based on anatomic region: i) sino-nasal, ii) dentoalveolar, iii) nasooropharyngeal airway, iv) temporomandibular joint, v) neck, vi) calcifications, and vi) miscellaneous findings. Additionally, findings were assigned a clinical significance score based on severity on a scale of mild, moderate and severe.

Patient shielding during dentomaxillofacial radiography: Recommendations from the American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology.

Background: The American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology established an ad hoc committee to draft evidence-based recommendations and clinical guidance for the application of patient contact shielding during dentomaxillofacial imaging.

Types Of Studies Reviewed: The committee reviewed monographs and reports from radiation protection organizations and studies that reported radiation dose to gonads, breasts, and thyroid gland from dentomaxillofacial imaging.

Results: Considering the absence of radiation-induced heritable effects in humans and the negligible dose to the gonads and fetus from dentomaxillofacial imaging, the committee recommends discontinuing shielding of the gonads, pelvic structures, and fetuses during all dentomaxillofacial radiographic imaging procedures.

Evaluation of near-infrared Raman spectroscopy in the differentiation of cortical bone, trabecular bone, and Bio-Oss bone graft: an ex-vivo study.

Objective: We evaluated the ability of near-infrared Raman spectroscopy (near-IR RS) to differentiate among cortical bone, trabecular bone, and Bio-Oss, a bovinebone-based graft material.

Study Design: We obtained a thinly sliced section of the mandible to collect cortical and trabecular bone samples and placed compacted Bio-Oss bone graft into a partially edentulous mandible in a dry human skull to obtain a comparable Bio-Oss sample. We performed near-IR RS of the 3 samples and evaluated the resultant Raman spectra to evaluate their differences.

Retro-odontoid pseudotumor: a potentially serious cervical spine incidental finding on cone beam computed tomography.

Retro-odontoid pseudotumor (ROP) is a benign proliferation of soft tissues posterior to the odontoid process. It can be associated with both inflammatory and noninflammatory arthritis. Altered biomechanics and atlantoaxial instability are the major contributing factors.

Incidental findings of temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis and its variability based on age and sex.

Purpose: This study investigated the prevalence of temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJ-OA) using the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders image analysis criteria, assessed the severity of incidental osteoarthritic changes affecting the TMJ, and evaluated the correlations of sex and age with the prevalence and severity of TMJ-OA.

Materials And Methods: This retrospective study assessed 145 randomly selected cone-beam computed tomography scans (261 TMJs) from the authors' institutional maxillofacial radiology archive following the application of inclusion and exclusion criteria. The criteria described by Ahmad et al.

Effect of multiple injections of botulinum toxin into painful masticatory muscles on bone density in the temporomandibular complex.

Background: Adverse effects of masticatory muscle injections of Botulinum Toxin (Btx) have been noted in animal and, less dramatically, human studies.

Objective: Among women treated in multiple community-based private practices, to compare TMJ bone density and mandibular condylar volume between patients with myofascial TMJD receiving multiple masticatory muscle Btx treatments and similarly diagnosed women not receiving such treatment.

Methods: Cohorts consisted of women whose treatment charts indicated a diagnosis of myofascial TMJD: 35 received at least 2 Btx treatment cycles; 44 received none.

Effective doses of dental cone beam computed tomography: effect of 360-degree versus 180-degree rotation angles.

Objectives: The aims of this study were to compare radiation absorbed dose (AD) and effective dose (ED) to tissues from cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans with 360-degree versus 180-degree rotations with use of different fields of view (FOV), to compare EDs calculated from measured ADs versus dose area product (DAP) values, and to compare doses to the lens of the eye (LOE) from different scan parameters.

Study Design: ADs for each protocol were measured in tissues, including the LOE, by using an anthropometric phantom. EDs were calculated on the basis of dosimetry (EDm) and DAP values (EDd).

Doses, Benefits, Safety, and Risks in Oral and Maxillofacial Diagnostic Imaging.

Diagnostic imaging is essential in dentistry. Doses range from low to very low, benefits to patients can be immense, and safe techniques are well known but widely ignored. Doses range from very low with properly executed intraoral, cephalometric, and panoramic imaging to higher than multidetector computed tomography with cone-beam computed tomography.

Responses to spaceflight of mouse mandibular bone and teeth.

Objective: To determine if spaceflight and microgravity affect non-weight bearing bones and development and mineralization of teeth, reasoning that combining an organ and a cellular level approach can lead to greater insights about these effects.

Design: Mandibles and incisors of mice flown on the US STS-135 space shuttle mission and the Russian Bion-M1 satellite were studied using micro-computed tomography and immunohistochemistry. Ground controls were mice housed in standard vivarium cages and flight habitats.

Analyzing Dental Implant Sites From Cone Beam Computed Tomography Scans on a Tablet Computer: A Comparative Study Between iPad and 3 Display Systems.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare a medical-grade PACS (picture archiving and communication system) monitor, a consumer-grade monitor, a laptop computer, and a tablet computer for linear measurements of height and width for specific implant sites in the posterior maxilla and mandible, along with visualization of the associated anatomical structures.

Material And Methods: Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans were evaluated. The images were reviewed using PACS-LCD monitor, consumer-grade LCD monitor using CB-Works software, a 13″ MacBook Pro, and an iPad 4 using OsiriX DICOM reader software.

Tissue characterization using optical coherence tomography and cone beam computed tomography: a comparative pilot study.

Objectives: To evaluate the ability of optical coherence tomography (OCT) in differentiating human oral tissues in comparison with cone beam computed tomography.

Study Design: In this study, we imaged four types of tissues ex vivo: human enamel, human cortical bone, human trabecular bone, and fatty tissue plus water and air by using OCT (Axsun Inc., Billerica, MA).

Evaluation of linear measurements of implant sites based on head orientation during acquisition: An ex vivo study using cone-beam computed tomography.

Purpose: This study evaluated the effect of various head orientations during cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) image acquisition on linear measurements of potential implant sites.

Materials And Methods: Six dry human skulls with a total of 28 implant sites were evaluated for seven different head orientations. The scans were acquired using a Hitachi CB-MercuRay CBCT machine.

Oral and maxillofacial radiologists: career trends and specialty board certification status.

Oral and maxillofacial radiology is the newest specialty to be recognized by the American Dental Association, so knowledge about the parameters of this profession is in the early stages of development. The aim of this study was to understand the current distribution of oral and maxillofacial radiologists (OMFRs) in academia and private practice, the nature of their practice, and trends in their board certification status. An email describing the study's purpose with a link to a survey was sent to "OradList," a listserv that has a majority of OMFRs in the United States and Canada as members.

Using hand-held dental x-ray devices: ensuring safety for patients and operators.

Background: Since the introduction of hand-held x-ray units in dentistry, a few inexpensive devices have emerged that lack the necessary safety measures and failed to meet U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) standards.

Chronic osteitic rhinosinusitis as a manifestation of cystic fibrosis: A case report.

A 28-year-old male patient with a history of cystic fibrosis (CF) was referred to the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine for an evaluation of a cystic lesion in the right maxilla using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). CF is an autosomal recessive disease characterized by an abnormal production of viscous mucus, affecting the mucociliary clearance. The CBCT scan revealed a large cystic lesion in the right maxilla extending from the right maxillary second molar to the midline in the region of the right central incisor with a significant buccal expansion.

Clival lesion incidentally discovered on cone-beam computed tomography: A case report and review of the literature.

An osteolytic lesion with a small central area of mineralization and sclerotic borders was discovered incidentally in the clivus on the cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) of a 27-year-old male patient. This benign appearance indicated a primary differential diagnosis of non-aggressive lesions such as fibro-osseous lesions and arrested pneumatization. Further, on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the lesion showed a homogenously low T1 signal intensity with mild internal enhancement after post-gadolinium and a heterogeneous T2 signal intensity.