The Diagnostic Yield of Dental Radiography and Cone-Beam Computed Tomography for the Identification of Dentoalveolar Lesions in Cats

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic yield of dental radiography (DR) and 3 cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) software modules for the identification of 32 pre-defined dentoalveolar lesions in cats. For 5 feline cadaver heads and 22 client-owned cats admitted for evaluation and treatment of dental disease, 32 predefined dentoalveolar lesions were evaluated separately and scored by use of dental radiography and 3 CBCT software modules [multiplanar reconstructions (MPR), tridimensional (3-D) rendering, and reconstructed panoramic views]. A qualitative scoring system was used. Dentoalveolar lesions were grouped into 14 categories for statistical analysis. Point of reference for presence or absence of a dentoalveolar lesion was determined as the method that could be used to clearly identify the disorder as being present. Accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were calculated with the McNemar χ 2 test of marginal homogeneity of paired data. When all 3 CBCT software modules were used in combination, the diagnostic yield of CBCT was significantly higher than that of dental radiography for 4 of 14 categories (missing teeth, horizontal bone loss, loss of tooth integrity, feline resorptive lesions), and higher, although not significantly so, for 9 categories (supernumerary teeth, supernumerary roots, abnormally shaped roots, vertical bone loss, buccal bone expansion, periapical disease, inflammatory root resorption, and external replacement root resorption). In conclusion, we found that CBCT provided more clinically relevant detailed information as compared to dental radiography. Therefore, CBCT should be considered better suited for use in diagnosing dentoalveolar lesions in cats.

In Vivo Detection of External Apical Root Resorption Induced by Apical Periodontitis Using Periapical Radiography and Cone-Beam Computed Tomography

“…Nevertheless, both techniques presented a similar specificity. Our results are consistent with previous studies that reported CBCT as the most accurate method for finding artificial external root resorption compared to panoramic or periapical radiography [13,15,16]. Even though we observed that PR had been found to be less sensitive, a high specificity of PR was obtained.…”

In vivo detection of external apical root resorption induced by apical periodontitis using periapical radiography and cone-beam computed tomography

“…Nevertheless, both techniques presented a similar speci city. Our results are consistent with previous studies that reported CBCT as the most accurate method in nding arti cial external root resorption when compared to panoramic or periapical radiography (13,15,16). Even though, we observed that PR has been found to be less sensitive, a high speci city of PR was obtained.…”

Comparison of unilateral rostral, middle and caudal segmental mandibulectomies as an alternative treatment for unilateral temporomandibular joint ankylosis in cats: an ex vivo study

“…Cross-sectional imaging techniques such as CT and, more recently, cone beam CT (CBCT) have been considered the gold standard diagnostic imaging techniques for evaluating the TMJ bony structures. 6,[13][14][15][16] MRI has been used for assessment of the TMJ soft tissue structures in the veterinary field but much less frequently than for humans, where it is widely used for assessment of the extra-and intra-articular soft tissue structures, in particular, for evaluation of the morphology and positioning of the articular disc. 17,18 Although surgical excision of the abnormal tissue by gap arthroplasty, condylectomy or wide extra-articular osteotomy are currently the treatment of choice for TMJA, these procedures may be time-consuming, technically challenging and carry a potential risk of iatrogenic trauma and death owing to the complex anatomy surrounding the TMJ.…”