Radiographic detection of accessory/lateral canals: use of RadioVisioGraphy and Hypaque

The diagnostic accuracy of RadioVisioGraphy (RVG-S) and conventional film images with and without the use of a radiopaque contrast media were compared for the detection of accessory/lateral canals. Forty-nine root canals, 13 with verified lateral canals, were endodontically prepared and imaged using both conventional intraoral dental film (E-speed) and three modes of RVG-S digital radiography (normal, inverse, zoom) before and after introduction of Hypaque-M, 90%. Images were presented to seven viewers; however, three demonstrated only fair intrarater reliability and were excluded. Overall sensitivity was low. RVG images were slightly more sensitive than conventional film images. Specificities, positive predictive values, and negative predictive values were low and showed no differences between modalities. It was concluded that the diagnostic accuracy of both film and RVG-S digital radiographic images for the detection of accessory/lateral canals, either alone or in combination with radiopaque contrast material, is low.