Use of cone beam computed tomography in otolaryngologic treatments

Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) allows us to evaluate 3-dimensional (3D) morphology of the maxillofacial skeleton and also used in dentomaxillofacial imaging to solve complex diagnostic and treatment planning problems such as craniofacial fractures, temporamandibular dysfunctions or sinus imaging. CBCT uses a rectangular or round 2D detector, which allows a single rotation of the gantry to generate a scan of the entire region of interest. Technological and application-specific factors such as development of compact, relatively low-cost, high-quality, large, flat-panel detector arrays; the availability of low-cost computers with processing power sufficient for cone beam image reconstruction; the fabrication of highly efficient radiograph tubes capable of multiple exposures necessary for cone beam scanning at prices lower than those currently used for fan beam CT; and limited volume scanning (e.g., head and neck) eliminating the need for subsecond gantry rotation speeds make this possible. The objective of this study is to review published evidence for CBCT having an important role in ORL treatments. We aimed to review all the available literature about the CBCT imagination in ORL treatments. Systematic literature search was performed using PubMed and Ovid. Additional literature was retrieved from reference lists in the articles. Systematic analysis of the literature from 1998 to 2010 was performed. A total of 40 abstracts were evaluated independently by two members of the project group, and 38 articles were included in the review.