• Imaging Science in Dentistry
• /
• v.35 no.2
• /
• pp.111-114
• /
• 2005

A 15-year-old patient, who had been diagnosed and treated as Burkitt cell type acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL-L3) already, visited our department. He complained of gingival enlargement and loosening teeth 1 month ago. The clinical examination revealed anterior open bite, gingival enlargement, and nontender swelling particularly in molar regions of both jaws. Deep periodontal pockets and severe mobility was shown on most of the teeth. The panoramic radiographs showed severe bone destruction and extrusion of the molars. The contrast enhanced CT showed multiple enhanced mass and bone marrow obliteration in both jaws. Chemotherapy was done and the swelling was subsided at 1 month later. In conclusion, radiologic findings of leukemia with soft tissue mass, known as chloroma or granulocytic sarcoma, mimic those of lymphoma, so blood test may be needed for the final diagnosis.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
• /
• v.46 no.2
• /
• pp.127-131
• /
• 2016

Purpose: This study was performed to compare the condylar position in patients with temporomandibular joint disorders (TMDs) and a normal group by using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Materials and Methods: In the TMD group, 25 patients (5 men and 20 women) were randomly selected among the ones suffering from TMD according to the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD). The control group consisted of 25 patients (8 men and 17 women) with normal temporomandibular joints (TMJs) who were referred to the radiology department in order to undergo CBCT scanning for implant treatment in the posterior maxilla. Linear measurements from the superior, anterior, and posterior joint spaces between the condyle and glenoid fossa were made through defined landmarks in the sagittal view. The inclination of articular eminence was also determined. Results: The mean anterior joint space was 2.3 mm in the normal group and 2.8 mm in the TMD group, respectively. The results showed that there was a significant correlation between the superior and posterior joint spaces in both the normal and TMD groups, but it was only in the TMD group that the correlation coefficient among the dimensions of anterior and superior spaces was significant. There was a significant correlation between the inclination of articular eminence and the size of the superior and posterior spaces in the normal group. Conclusion: The average dimension of the anterior joint space was different between the two groups. CBCT could be considered a useful diagnostic imaging modality for TMD patients.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
• /
• v.48 no.2
• /
• pp.111-119
• /
• 2018

Purpose: This study was conducted to evaluate the accuracy of linear measurements of 3-dimensional (3D) images generated by cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and facial scanning systems, and to assess the effect of scanning parameters, such as CBCT exposure settings, on image quality. Materials and Methods: CBCT and facial scanning images of an anthropomorphic phantom showing 13 soft-tissue anatomical landmarks were used in the study. The distances between the anatomical landmarks on the phantom were measured to obtain a reference for evaluating the accuracy of the 3D facial soft-tissue images. The distances between the 3D image landmarks were measured using a 3D distance measurement tool. The effect of scanning parameters on CBCT image quality was evaluated by visually comparing images acquired under different exposure conditions, but at a constant threshold. Results: Comparison of the repeated direct phantom and image-based measurements revealed good reproducibility. There were no significant differences between the direct phantom and image-based measurements of the CBCT surface volume-rendered images. Five of the 15 measurements of the 3D facial scans were found to be significantly different from their corresponding direct phantom measurements(P<.05). The quality of the CBCT surface volume-rendered images acquired at a constant threshold varied across different exposure conditions. Conclusion: These results proved that existing 3D imaging techniques were satisfactorily accurate for clinical applications, and that optimizing the variables that affected image quality, such as the exposure parameters, was critical for image acquisition.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
• /
• v.51 no.4
• /
• pp.413-419
• /
• 2021

Purpose: The aim of this in vitro study was to assess the role of bandwidth on the area of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) artifacts caused by orthodontic appliances composed of different alloys, using different pulse sequences in 1.5 T and 3.0 T magnetic fields. Materials and Methods: Different phantoms containing orthodontic brackets (ceramic, ceramic bracket with a stainless-steel slot, and stainless steel) were immersed in agar gel and imaged in 1.5 T and 3.0 T MRI scanners. Pairs of gradient-echo (GE), spin-echo (SE), and ultrashort echo time (UTE) pulse sequences were used differing in bandwidth only. The area of artifacts from orthodontic devices was automatically estimated from pixel value thresholds within a region of interest (ROI). Mean values for similar pulse sequences differing in bandwidth were compared at 1.5 T and 3.0 T using analysis of variance. Results: The comparison of groups revealed a significant inverse association between bandwidth values and artifact areas of the stainless-steel bracket and the self-ligating ceramic bracket with a stainless-steel slot(P<0.05). The areas of artifacts from the ceramic bracket were the smallest, but were not reduced significantly in pulse sequences with higher bandwidth values(P<0.05). Significant differences were also observed between 1.5 T and 3.0 T MRI using SE and UTE, but not using GE 2-dimensional or 3-dimensional pulse sequences. Conclusion: Higher receiver bandwidth might be indicated to prevent artifacts from orthodontic appliances in 1.5 T and 3.0 T MRI using SE and UTE pulse sequences.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
• /
• v.44 no.1
• /
• pp.67-73
• /
• 2014

Intraosseous vascular lesions of the maxillofacial region are rare, and the differential diagnosis of intraosseous vascular malformations from other jaw lesions can be challenging. In the present case, magnetic resonance imaging and three-dimensional computed tomographic angiography (CTA) was used for diagnosis, and the lesion was treated wih surgical excision. Diverse characteristics such as the "honeycomb" and "sunburst" radiographic appearances and the absence of major peripheral feeder vessels in the CTA were noted. Intraosseous vascular malformations have a varied radiographic appearance, and the nomenclature of these lesions is equally diverse, with several overlapping terms. Pathologists do not generally differentiate among intraosseous vascular lesions on the basis of histopathology, although these lesions may present with contrasting immunohistochemical and clinical behaviors requiring varied treatment strategies. This case report highlights the need for multiple imaging modalities to differentiate among vascular lesions, as well as to better understand the behaviors of these unique lesions.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
• /
• v.41 no.4
• /
• pp.177-181
• /
• 2011

Pyknodysostosis is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by the post natal onset of short limbs, short stature, and generalized hyperostosis along with acro-osteolysis with sclerosis of the terminal phalanges, a feature that is considered essentially pathognomonic. Other features include persistence of fontanelles, delayed closure of sutures, wormian bones, absence of frontal sinuses, and obtuse mandibular gonial angle with relative mandibular prognathism. We report a case of 17-year-old girl who presented with a chief complaint of retention of deciduous teeth. General physical examination demonstrated short stature, frontal and parietal bossing, depressed nasal bridge, beaked nose, hypoplastic midface, wrinkled skin over the finger tips, and nail abnormalities. Radiographs showed multiple impacted permanent and supernumerary teeth, hypoplastic paranasal sinuses with acro-osteolysis of terminal phalanges, and open fontanelles, and sutures along with wormian bones in the lambdoidal region.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
• /
• v.38 no.3
• /
• pp.177-182
• /
• 2008

A 27-year-old female was referred to our hospital postpartum due to rapid aggravation of facial swelling. She was diagnosed with osteomyelitis on clinical, radiological, and histopathological examinations, but the possibility of malignancy was not excluded. Clinical signs and symptoms such as facial swelling and discomfort were improved with four months of antibiotics treatment. This is as case of an osteomyelitis progressed from infected extraction socket in a woman with physiological changes of pregnancy. Decreased immunological response, increased sex hormone and calcium regulatory hormones regulate the response of the bone infection. We report this case for helping the diagnosis of unusual from of osteomyelities in pregnancy and postpartum.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
• /
• v.48 no.3
• /
• pp.227-231
• /
• 2018

In recent years, as interest in maintaining beauty and a youthful appearance has grown, filler procedures such as soft tissue augmentation have become more popular. These fillers are sometimes seen as radiopaque shadows on radiographic images, either due to the fillers themselves or because of secondary reactions; such findings may present a diagnostic challenge to dentists. The present report describes 3 cases of dermal fillers observed in panoramic and cone-beam computed tomographic (CBCT) images. All 3 elderly female patients had filler injected into their cheeks and chin area for cosmetic purposes decades ago. On panoramic images, multiple symmetric radiopacities were observed in the facial area; on CBCT, these calcifications were seen in the subcutaneous tissue in various shapes and with varying density. In conclusion, dentists should be aware of the imaging characteristics of dermal filler, and should be able to differentiate dermal filler from other pathological findings.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
• /
• v.42 no.4
• /
• pp.255-260
• /
• 2012

Dentigerous cysts are the most common developmental cysts of the jaws, most frequently associated with impacted mandibular third molar teeth. Dentigerous cysts around supernumerary teeth, however, account for 5% of all dentigerous cysts, with most developing around a mesiodens in the anterior maxilla. This report describes two cases of a dentigerous cyst associated with an impacted mesiodens. Both of the patients complained of swelling in the maxillary anterior region. Radiographic examination revealed an impacted mesiodens surrounded by a large corticated radiolucency in both cases. A provisional diagnosis of infected odontogenic cyst was made. The cysts were enucleated with the removal of the mesiodens in the two cases. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of infected dentigerous cyst associated with an impacted mesiodens in both cases. The patients remained asymptomatic, and no complications were noted.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
• /
• v.48 no.2
• /
• pp.147-152
• /
• 2018

Synovial chondromatosis is a rare metaplastic disease affecting the joints, including the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Since its symptoms are similar to those of temporomandibular disorders, a careful differential diagnosis is essential. A 50-year-old male patient was referred with the chief complaint of pain and radiopaque masses around the left TMJ on panoramic radiography. Clinically, pre-auricular swelling and resting pain was found, without limitation of mouth opening. On cone-beam computed tomographic images, multiple calcified nodules adjacent to the TMJ and bone proliferation with sclerosis at the articular fossa and eminence were found. T2-weighted magnetic resonance images showed multiple signal-void nodules with high signal effusion in the superior joint space and thickened cortical bone at the articular fossa and eminence. The calcified nodules were removed by surgical excision, but the hypertrophic articular fossa and eminence remained. A histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis. The patient was followed up few months later without recurrence.