Comparison between cone-beam and multislice computed tomography for identification of simulated bone lesions

Area of Science:

• Dentistry
• Radiology
• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Background:

• Multislice computed tomography (MSCT) and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) are widely used for maxillofacial imaging.
• Limited research exists comparing MSCT and CBCT for evaluating simulated mandibular bone lesions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the diagnostic accuracy of MSCT and CBCT in identifying simulated mandibular bone lesions.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of cross-sectional images versus axial/multiplanar reconstruction (MPR) slices from both techniques.

Main Methods:

• Simulated bone lesions of varying dimensions, shapes, and locularity were created in 15 dry mandibles.
• Images were acquired using both MSCT and CBCT with cross-sectional and axial/MPR protocols.
• Image interpretation was performed independently by examiners.

Main Results:

• CBCT and MSCT demonstrated comparable accuracy in depicting cortical bone involvement, with high sensitivity and specificity (p < 0.005).
• No significant differences in sensitivity or specificity were found between axial/MPR and cross-sectional images.
• Both techniques accurately identified the number of simulated lesions, with CBCT performing similarly to MSCT.

Conclusions:

• Cross-sectional slices and axial/MPR images from both MSCT and CBCT exhibit high accuracy for diagnosing bone lesions.
• CBCT is a viable alternative to MSCT for evaluating simulated mandibular bone lesions.