Videofluorographic evaluation of mastication and swallowing of Japanese udon noodles and white rice.

A videofluorographic (VF) swallowing study was performed on 22 healthy volunteers to observe the complete mastication and swallowing phases for Japanese udon noodles and white rice. The hardness, stickiness, and cohesiveness of food samples were measured using a food texture analyzing system. VF images were acquired using a versatile fluoroscopic unit and barium sulfate was used as a contrast medium.

Relationship between density variability and imaging volume size in cone-beam computerized tomographic scanning of the maxillofacial region: an in vitro study.

Objective: In limited-volume cone-beam computerized tomography (CBCT) imaging, projection data discontinuity caused by maxillofacial hard tissue structures outside the reconstructed volume are reported to affect the density value of the hard and soft tissue structures within the volume. The intensity of this effect is purported to be related to the size of the imaging volume. The aim of this study was to characterize the effect of the size of the scanned volume on density values in vitro.

Effects of image artifacts on gray-value density in limited-volume cone-beam computerized tomography.

Objective: An in vitro study was designed to investigate the influence of projection data discontinuity-related artifacts in limited-volume cone-beam computerized tomography (CBCT) imaging of the jaws.

Study Design: Test objects were positioned in 4 patterns in a water-filled phantom as follows: bimandible and vertebrae, bimandible, left mandible and vertebrae, and left mandible. The CT imaging of the left molar region was performed using image intensifier (II)- and flat panel detector (FPD)-based CBCT scanners.

Image artifact in dental cone-beam CT.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the appearance and possible cause of an artifact seen in limited-volume cone-beam CT imaging.

Methods: A water-filled plastic cylinder was used as a phantom of the head. A test object was constructed as a bone-equivalent phantom to be imaged.

Condylar head remodeling following mandibular setback osteotomy for prognathism: a comparative study of different imaging modalities.

Purpose: Condylar remodeling, which develops after mandibular setback osteotomy, was evaluated and compared in CT, plain film radiographs, and MR images acquired postoperatively.

Methods: Thirty-nine patients treated with sagittal split ramus osteotomy (SSRO) and 46 patients treated with intraoral vertical ramus osteotomy (IVRO) were studied. Remodeling as seen in the images and the diagnostic agreement between imaging modalities was evaluated.

3D-CT evaluation of facial asymmetry.

Objective: Recently, 3-dimensional-computed tomography (3D-CT) imaging has been used in the diagnosis and surgical treatment planning of patients with craniofacial deformities. The present authors have developed a 3D-CT imaging procedure for a 3-dimensional coordinate point evaluation system to assess and diagnose patients with facial asymmetry.

Study Design: The CT data of 16 subjects was selected retrospectively as the control group from patients who had undergone CT examinations to diagnose conditions other than maxillofacial deformities.

3D CT evaluation of masseter muscle morphology after setback osteotomy for mandibular prognathism.

Objective: Following mandibular setback osteotomy, changes in the direction, length, and cross-sectional area of the masseter muscle were studied by means of computerized tomography (CT) images generated with a 3-dimensional (3D) reconstructive technique.

Study Design: Pre- and postoperative CT examinations were performed on 17 prognathic patients treated by sagittal split ramus osteotomy with rigid osteosynthesis and 13 patients treated by intraoral vertical ramus osteotomy without osteosynthesis. The pre- and postoperative masseter muscle direction and length were evaluated using 3D CT images observed from a lateral viewing angle.