Accuracy of linear measurement using cone-beam computed tomography at different reconstruction angles

Abstract

PurposeThis study was performed to evaluate the effect of changing the orientation of a reconstructed image on the accuracy of linear measurements using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).Materials and MethodsForty-two titanium pins were inserted in seven dry sheep mandibles. The length of these pins was measured using a digital caliper with readability of 0.01 mm. Mandibles were radiographed using a CBCT device. When the CBCT images were reconstructed, the orientation of slices was adjusted to parallel (i.e., 0°), +10°, +12°, -12°, and -10° with respect to the occlusal plane. The length of the pins was measured by three radiologists, and the accuracy of these measurements was reported using descriptive statistics and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA); p<0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsThe differences in radiographic measurements ranged from -0.64 to +0.06 at the orientation of -12°, -0.66 to -0.11 at -10°, -0.51 to +0.19 at 0°, -0.64 to +0.08 at +10°, and -0.64 to +0.1 at +12°. The mean absolute values of the errors were greater at negative orientations than at the parallel position or at positive orientations. The observers underestimated most of the variables by 0.5-0.1 mm (83.6%). In the second set of observations, the reproducibility at all orientations was greater than 0.9.ConclusionChanging the slice orientation in the range of -12° to +12° reduced the accuracy of linear measurements obtained using CBCT. However, the error value was smaller than 0.5 mm and was, therefore, clinically acceptable.

The Use of Cone‐Beam Computed Tomography in Management of Patients Requiring Dental Implants: An American Academy of Periodontology Best Evidence Review

“…CBCT posterior‐anterior cephalograms are shown to be more accurate than conventionally obtained extraoral cephalograms, in which transverse measurements may be impacted by changes in head position and head movements 60 . In dental implant treatment planning, one of the most frequently reported applications of CBCT is the ability to obtain height and width linear measurements of the alveolar ridge 61‐75 …”

Intraobserver and interobserver reproducibility in linear measurements on axial images obtained by cone-beam computed tomography

“…High interobserver and intraobserver CBCT reliability was reported by Moshfeghi et al11 and Kamburoğlu et al7, while in the study by Nikneshan et al1, reproducibility for all orientations was greater than 0.9.…”

“…The accuracy and reliability of linear measurements in cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images has been established in several published scientific studies,1234567891011 including studies where they have been obtained from CBCT-derived models 212…”

Comparing Two Diagnostic Procedures in Planning Dental Implants to Support a Mandibular Free‐Ending Removable Partial Denture

“…In this study, terms like “true” and “false” positive and negative findings were used for readability, but one has to be aware that, even though a CBCT is rather an accurate imaging modality, there may well be a discrepancy between the images and the actual clinical condition. For instance, mean discrepancies from linear measurements of −0.17 ± 0.53 mm were observed for the mandible or less than 0.5 mm . Safety margins were taken into account when assessing the bone volume on the CBCT images as described earlier.…”

“…For instance, mean discrepancies from linear measurements of −0.17 1 0.53 mm were observed for the mandible 21 or less than 0.5 mm. 22 Safety margins were taken into account when assessing the bone volume on the CBCT images as described earlier.…”