Lateral cephalometric analysis for treatment planning in orthodontics based on MRI compared with radiographs: A feasibility study in children and adolescents

Abstract

ObjectiveThe objective of this prospective study was to evaluate whether magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is equivalent to lateral cephalometric radiographs (LCR, “gold standard”) in cephalometric analysis.MethodsThe applied MRI technique was optimized for short scanning time, high resolution, high contrast and geometric accuracy. Prior to orthodontic treatment, 20 patients (mean age ± SD, 13.95 years ± 5.34) received MRI and LCR. MRI datasets were postprocessed into lateral cephalograms. Cephalometric analysis was performed twice by two independent observers for both modalities with an interval of 4 weeks. Eight bilateral and 10 midsagittal landmarks were identified, and 24 widely used measurements (14 angles, 10 distances) were calculated. Statistical analysis was performed by using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), Bland-Altman analysis and two one-sided tests (TOST) within the predefined equivalence margin of ± 2°/mm.ResultsGeometric accuracy of the MRI technique was confirmed by phantom measurements. Mean intraobserver ICC were 0.977/0.975 for MRI and 0.975/0.961 for LCR. Average interobserver ICC were 0.980 for MRI and 0.929 for LCR. Bland-Altman analysis showed high levels of agreement between the two modalities, bias range (mean ± SD) was -0.66 to 0.61 mm (0.06 ± 0.44) for distances and -1.33 to 1.14° (0.06 ± 0.71) for angles. Except for the interincisal angle (p = 0.17) all measurements were statistically equivalent (p < 0.05).ConclusionsThis study demonstrates feasibility of orthodontic treatment planning without radiation exposure based on MRI. High-resolution isotropic MRI datasets can be transformed into lateral cephalograms allowing reliable measurements as applied in orthodontic routine with high concordance to the corresponding measurements on LCR.

Differential changes in the adenoids and tonsils in Japanese children and teenagers: a cross-sectional study

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Accuracy of cone‐beam computed tomography, dental magnetic resonance imaging, and intraoral radiography for detecting peri‐implant bone defects at single zirconia implants—An in vitro study

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The impact of expanded endonasal skull base surgery on midfacial growth in pediatric patients

“…We utilized established landmarks and linear measurements, selected by a board‐certified neuroradiologist and based on previous cephalometric literature assessing midfacial growth, that would be not be affected by disease process or iatrogenic damage . Cephalometric analysis was conducted using midsagittal MRI images, which are routinely obtained for postoperative surveillance, avoid radiation exposure, and have been demonstrated to have high concordance with craniofacial measurements taken from lateral cephalograms . The objective of this study is to assess the impact of the approach on midfacial growth.…”