[Digital volume tomography using the NewTom system: advantages of this new technique in children]

In some cases, after preliminary clinical examination, medical imaging can provide indispensable complementary information for the care of young patients. Volume imaging using two- and three-dimensional reconstructions provides the most complete information possible. Problems involving the superposition of anatomical structures, which can occur with conventional X-rays, are a thing of the past, and this technique represents the future in this field. In high-density tissue such as bone or teeth, tomodensitometry is the preferred examination as it can give a three-dimensional approach to the study. However, because of the high radiation dose required, scanner is still a second intention examination. Development of digital volume tomography using NewTom system, designed for maxillofacial exploration, produces the same type of image for a very much reduced X-ray dose, and at low cost. Although the use of this new examining technique is developing rapidly in Europe and throughout the world since its recent introduction, France is lagging behind as to date there are only seven machines in the entire country. The main uses in children, illustrated by original clinical cases, relate to preoperative surgery planning, post-trauma diagnostic workups, orthodontic checkups, postoperative follow-up and TMJ examinations. The purpose of this article is to inform dental surgeons, paediatricians and doctors about this new medical imaging examination, which will most definitely have a place in the battery of diagnostic tools available to us. After weighing the advantages/risks involved, it should be possible to reduce the number of tomodensitometry exams in favour of this new examination technique in children according to the clinical examination data and diagnostic information required.