Post-Traumatic-Related Technical Errors in Orthopantomographic Imaging

Abstract

Background: This study aimed at identifying errors encountered in orthopantomography (OPG) in post-traumatic patients caused by limitations in performing a correct technique. Methods: A retrospective observational study was performed. Diagnosis, exposure/processing mistakes, positioning-related errors, and bimaxillary immobilization were evaluated. Results: Thirty panoramic radiographs with mandible fractures were examined. Twelve error types were encountered: errors in exposure or processing, air radiolucency in the palatoglossal space, errors in the alignment of the Frankfort horizontal plane: head in flexion, with a joyful expression or head extended, with a somber appearance, errors towards the mid-sagittal plane (lateral head inclination, deviation, or rotation), errors caused by the non-use of the bite-block or inappropriate position on the device, errors caused by positioning outside the focal plane, artifacts/shadow images produced by post-operative metal plates, and bimaxillary immobilization errors. The number of errors per radiograph ranged from two to a maximum of five. The most dominant ones were inappropriate alignment in the focal plane and lateral rotation of the head in over 70% of cases. Lateral deviation and palatoglossal air were present in more than 50% of images. Conclusions: In trauma cases, technical difficulties in obtaining a proper OPG image are common and often insurmountable, limiting the diagnosis.

Apps para estimar dosis de radiación en radiología médica y dental: una revisión descriptiva

“…Por su reciente publicación, solo 3 trabajos lo han citado. En 2022, Almășan O et al (58) , en una investigación cuyo propósito fue identificar los errores encontrados en la ortopantomografía (OPG) en pacientes postraumáticos causados por limitaciones en la realización de una técnica correcta, referenció el a Dose-Calculator como una forma de encontrar la dosis de radiación en procedimientos dentales, pero no hizo comparaciones. En esa línea, Sullivan M (59) , en una tesis de maestría que tuvo como objetivo establecer la distancia del canal mandibular hasta los ápices de las raíces de los molares en pacientes pediátricos usando CBCT, se apoyó en el trabajo de Lee y Badal (23) para indicar que, con los años, la dosis de radiación del CBCT ha venido disminuyendo, haciéndola una modalidad cada vez más aceptada.…”