Soon Chul Choi

Effect of bit depth and kVp of digital radiography for detection of subtle differences.

OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of different bit depths and kilovoltage peak (kVp) values used in intraoral digital radiography on observer performance in detecting subtle radiographic density differences. STUDY DESIGN Using an intraoral CCD sensor set at 8- or 12-bit depth, kVp set at 60 or 70, and 14 different exposure times, digital radiographs were acquired of a specially designed aluminum step-wedge phantom with small holes of different depths in each step. Ten observers examined all images. RESULTS The observers counted more holes with the 12-bit images compared with the 8-bit images, particularly at 60 kVp. Significantly more holes were also counted with images taken at 70 kVp compared with those taken at 60 kVp. CONCLUSION Regarding the detection of subtle radiographic density differences, 12-bit images and 70 kVp were superior to 8-bit images and 60 kVp.

Development of 3D statistical mandible models for cephalometric measurements

Purpose The aim of this study was to provide sex-matched three-dimensional (3D) statistical shape models of the mandible, which would provide cephalometric parameters for 3D treatment planning and cephalometric measurements in orthognathic surgery. Materials and Methods The subjects used to create the 3D shape models of the mandible included 23 males and 23 females. The mandibles were segmented semi-automatically from 3D facial CT images. Each individual mandible shape was reconstructed as a 3D surface model, which was parameterized to establish correspondence between different individual surfaces. The principal component analysis (PCA) applied to all mandible shapes produced a mean model and characteristic models of variation. The cephalometric parameters were measured directly from the mean models to evaluate the 3D shape models. The means of the measured parameters were compared with those from other conventional studies. The male and female 3D statistical mean models were developed from 23 individual mandibles, respectively. Results The male and female characteristic shapes of variation produced by PCA showed a large variability included in the individual mandibles. The cephalometric measurements from the developed models were very close to those from some conventional studies. Conclusion We described the construction of 3D mandibular shape models and presented the application of the 3D mandibular template in cephalometric measurements. Optimal reference models determined from variations produced by PCA could be used for craniofacial patients with various types of skeletal shape.

Chondrosarcoma of the mandibular condyle: Report of a case

A rare case of chondrosarcoma of the mandibular condyle is reported. CT and MRI were available in the diagnosis of chondrosarcoma, but plain radiograms were nearly non-contributory. Microscopically, the malignant chondroid tissue and malignant chondrocytes were observed.

Is the panoramic mandibular index useful for bone quality evaluation

Purpose The aim of this study was to determine whether the panoramic mandibular index (PMI) is useful for assessing bone mineral density. We also analyzed the potential correlations between PMI parameters and patient age. Materials and Methods Four observers measured the PMI of both sides of the mental foramen using a picture archiving and communication system and images in the Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine format. They studied 300 panoramic radiographic images of patients belonging to the following age groups: 40–49 years, 50–59 years, 60–69 years, 70–79 years, and 80–89 years. The observers were allowed to zoom in or out and to adjust the contrast of the images. Further, they were instructed to record the reasons for any measurements that could not be made. Then, we conducted a reliability analysis of the measured PMI and assessed the correlations between different patient age groups and the 3 parameters used for determining the PMI from the available data. Results Among the 600 data items collected, 23 items were considered unmeasurable by at least 1 observer for the following 4 reasons: postoperative state, lesion, unidentified mental foramen, and alveolar bone loss. The intraobserver reproducibility of the measurable data was 0.611-0.752. The mandibular cortical width (MCW) decreased significantly as patient age increased. Conclusion PMI had limited usability when the margin of the mental foramen was not clear. In contrast, MCW, a parameter used for determining the PMI, had fewer drawbacks than the PMI with respect to bone mineral density measurements and exhibited a significant correlation with patient age.

Contrast reference values in panoramic radiographic images using an arch-form phantom stand

Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate appropriate contrast reference values (CRVs) by comparing the contrast in phantom and clinical images. Materials and Methods Phantom contrast was measured using two methods: (1) counting the number of visible pits of different depths in an aluminum plate, and (2) obtaining the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) for 5 tissue-equivalent materials (porcelain, aluminum, polytetrafluoroethylene [PTFE], polyoxymethylene [POM], and polymethylmethacrylate [PMMA]). Four panoramic radiographs of the contrast phantom, embedded in the 4 different regions of the arch-form stand, and 1 real skull phantom image were obtained, post-processed, and compared. The clinical image quality evaluation chart was used to obtain the cut-off values of the phantom CRV corresponding to the criterion of being adequate for diagnosis. Results The CRVs were obtained using 4 aluminum pits in the incisor and premolar region, 5 aluminum pits in the molar region, and 2 aluminum pits in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) region. The CRVs obtained based on the CNR measured in the anterior region were: porcelain, 13.95; aluminum, 9.68; PTFE, 6.71; and POM, 1.79. The corresponding values in the premolar region were: porcelain, 14.22; aluminum, 8.82; PTFE, 5.95; and POM, 2.30. In the molar region, the following values were obtained: porcelain, 7.40; aluminum, 3.68; PTFE, 1.27; and POM, - 0.18. The CRVs for the TMJ region were: porcelain, 3.60; aluminum, 2.04; PTFE, 0.48; and POM, - 0.43. Conclusion CRVs were determined for each part of the jaw using the CNR value and the number of pits observed in phantom images.

A dose monitoring system for dental radiography

Purpose The current study investigates the feasibility of a platform for a nationwide dose monitoring system for dental radiography. The essential elements for an unerring system are also assessed. Materials and Methods An intraoral radiographic machine with 14 X-ray generators and five sensors, 45 panoramic radiographic machines, and 23 cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) models used in Korean dental clinics were surveyed to investigate the type of dose report. A main server for storing the dose data from each radiographic machine was prepared. The dose report transfer pathways from the radiographic machine to the main sever were constructed. An effective dose calculation method was created based on the machine specifications and the exposure parameters of three intraoral radiographic machines, five panoramic radiographic machines, and four CBCTs. A viewing system was developed for both dentists and patients to view the calculated effective dose. Each procedure and the main server were integrated into one system. Results The dose data from each type of radiographic machine was successfully transferred to the main server and converted into an effective dose. The effective dose stored in the main server is automatically connected to a viewing program for dentist and patient access. Conclusion A patient radiation dose monitoring system is feasible for dental clinics. Future research in cooperation with clinicians, industry, and radiologists is needed to ensure format convertibility for an efficient dose monitoring system to monitor unexpected radiation dose.