No abstract

A blinded observational cross-sectional in vitro study was conducted to compare the diagnostic accuracy of observers viewing images made using cone beam computerized tomography (CBCT), panoramic radiography and linear tomography.The sample consisted of 37 TMJ articulations from 30 human skulls demonstrating either normal condylar morphology (n=19) or erosion of the lateral pole (n=18). The articulations were imaged using corrected angle linear tomography, normal and TMJ specific panoramic radiography and CBCT. Images and 10 re-reads were presented to 10 observers. Multiple CBCT multi-planar images were presented both statically and interactively. Intra-observer reliability was determined by weighted kappa (K w ) and diagnostic accuracy by the fitted area under the ROC curve (A z ). Means were compared using ANOVA (p≤.05).Our results show CBCT images provide superior reliability and greater accuracy than corrected angle linear tomography and TMJ panoramic projections in the detection of condylar cortical erosion.