Usefulness of cone beam computed tomography in temporomandibular joints with soft tissue pathology

Objective

The aim of the study was to evaluate the usefulness of cone beam CT (CBCT) in temporomandibular joints (TMJs) with soft tissue pathology.

Methods

106 TMJs of 55 patients with temporomandibular disorder (TMD) were examined by MRI and CBCT. MR images were used for the evaluation of disc displacement, disc deformity, joint effusion and obscurity of temporal posterior attachment (TPA). CBCT images were evaluated for the presence or absence of osseous abnormalities. The χ² test was used to analyse the association between MRI and CBCT findings.

Results

MRI of 106 TMJs revealed disc displacement, disc deformity, joint effusion and obscurity of the TPA in 68, 73, 28 and 27 joints, respectively. Of the 68 TMJs with disc displacement, anterior disc displacement without reduction (ADDWR) was seen most frequently (47/68). CBCT imaging found 65 TMJs were characterized by the presence of osseous abnormalities and were significantly associated with disc deformity and ADDWR (P < 0.05). There was no statistically significant association between the presence of joint effusion and obscurity of TPA and TMJ osseous abnormalities.

Conclusions

TMD patients with confirmed ADDWR or disc deformity on MRI are at risk of having osseous abnormalities in the TMJ and further examination with CBCT is recommended.     

High-resolution reconstruction of a waxed heart specimen with flat panel volume computed tomography and rapid prototyping

A waxed piglet heart was scanned with a flat panel volume computed tomography scanner (voxel size, 0.25 mm). Virtual and real laser-sintered models showed excellent visual concordance with the original. Using an iterative-closest-point algorithm, a very low mean surface distance was found between the original and laser-sintered model (0.26 +/- 0.34 mm). These techniques allow submillimeter 3-dimensional virtual and real reconstructions without destroying the original and might be useful for teaching, research, and planning of cardiac interventions.     

MRI evaluation in tracheal pathology. Comparison with tomography and x-ray computed tomography. Apropos of 30 cases]

The authors report a standardised comparison between MRI, CT and Tomography, in 30 cases of tracheal lesions (postintubation, tumors, external compressions and invasions). They conclude on the superiority of MRI because of its multiplanar visualisation, its soft-tissue contrast resolution and its capability to differentiate inflammatory granuloma.     

A review of the issues surrounding three-dimensional computed tomography for medical modelling using rapid prototyping techniques

This technical note aims to raise awareness amongst radiographers of the application of Computed Tomography data in the production of models using Rapid Prototyping technologies. It also aims to provide radiographers with recommendations that will assist them in providing three-dimensional Computed Tomography data that can fulfil the requirements of medical modelling. Potential problem areas in data acquisition and transfer are discussed and suggestions are given for methods that aim to avoid these.     

Preoperative evaluation of bronchiectasis by computed tomography

A patient with known lingular bronchiectasis is presented for whom CT was used as the sole preoperative radiographic method to exclude disease in the remainder of the bronchial tree. The patient has remained symptom free for 12 months following lingulectomy. The potential of CT to obviate the need for bronchography in the preoperative staging of bronchiectasis is discussed.     

Usefulness of computed tomography enteroclysis in the intestinal tract

Purpose  

The aim of this study was to evaluate computed tomography enteroclysis (CTE) of the small intestinal tract.     

Usefulness of computed tomography linear measurements in diagnosing Alzheimer's disease

BACKGROUND: Medial temporal lobe atrophy (MTA) is an early sign of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The current method of choice for measuring MTA is volumetric measurement based on 3D magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), but this complicated method has not been implemented clinically. PURPOSE: To investigate whether simple computed tomography (CT) linear measurements of the brain could be of value in AD workup. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty-nine healthy control subjects and 248 AD subjects were recruited. They were evaluated using a comprehensive clinical workup. A series of linear CT measurements were obtained from brain CT. RESULTS: In discriminant analysis, the temporal horn ratio and the suprasellar cistern ratio were the atrophy factors that contributed most significantly to the diagnoses. Combined with other clinical factors (apolipoprotein E4 genotype), a correct AD classification of 90.2% was achieved. CONCLUSION: CT linear measurements could be of value in the workup of AD patients, considering the inexpensiveness and availability of CT as well as the simplicity of linear measurements.     

X-ray computed tomography in pathology of the greater omentum

CT examinations were reviewed in 19 patients with proved omental lesions (15 metastases, 1 lymphoma, 1 benign mesothelioma, 1 echinococcosis and 1 tuberculosis). Four distinct but aspecific patterns of omental pathology were identified with CT: omental caking; finely infiltrated fat with a "smudged" appearance; discrete nodules; cystic masses. CT is the most reliable radiographic technique to routinely evaluate omental lesions.     

Quantitative evaluation of fatty liver by computed tomography in rabbits

Biochemical, histologic, and computed tomographic (CT) examinations of the liver were performed in 32 rabbits in which fatty liver was induced by prolonged intravenous fat infusion. In two groups of rabbits, in which 2 and 4 g/kg/day of fat emulsion was administered, respectively, posttreatment reduction in CT value of mild degree was observed, but the reduction was insignificant from the standpoint of diagnosis from CT images. In the group that received 8 g/kg/day of fat emulsion, posttreatment change in CT value was -14.9 +/- 5.1 H, a sufficient reduction for a diagnosis of fatty liver of moderate degree. No significant change in CT value was seen in the no-treatment group or in the group in which 80 ml/kg/day of normal saline solution was infused for 4 weeks. Reduction in CT value in fatty liver might be due largely to accumulation of triglyceride and cholesterol in the liver cells. Significant correlation was found between changes in CT value of the liver and degrees of histologic fat accumulation in the liver cells. Consecutive measurement of CT values of the liver during prolonged intravenous hyperalimentation is a nonaggressive method of diagnosing fatty liver.     

Diagnosis and evaluation of retroperitoneal tumors by computed tomography.

Nineteen patients with primary and recurrent retroperitoneal tumors were examined by computed tomography. Correlation between CT and subsequent operative findings was remarkably accurate. CT provided clinically useful information regarding the presence, size, extent, and composition of the tumors and also their effect on adjacent structures. CT is recommended for any patient suspected to have a primary or recurrent retroperitoneal tumor.     

Single photon emission computed tomography and transmission computed tomography in the evaluation of liver disease

To assess the relative strengths of hepatic SPECT and transmission computed tomography (TCT), a comparison of these methods was made in 88 patients during a 20-month period. The scans were classified into four categories: normal, solitary focal, multifocal, or diffuse hepatocellular patterns. The final disease category was determined by histologic evaluation-biopsy/autopsy, surgery, or a combination of ultrasound, laboratory, and clinical follow-up for a minimum of 6 months. Both SPECT and TCT were normal in the 47 patients classified as normal. Of the 16 patients with diffuse hepatocellular disease, SPECT correctly identified 16 and TCT identified two patients. Eleven patients had solitary focal disease; 11 were detected by SPECT and 10 by TCT. Fourteen patients were in the multifocal disease group; 13 were detected by SPECT and 10 by TCT. Overall, SPECT and TCT findings were in agreement in 68 (77%) of the cases. This study demonstrates that SPECT is equal to TCT in the assessment of the liver parenchyma in normal and focal disease states and that SPECT is superior in the assessment of diffuse disease.     

The anatomy and pathology of the brachial plexus as demonstrated by computed tomography

Computed tomography (CT) scanning can demonstrate a wide range of abnormalities affecting both the brachial plexus and the surrounding structures. Narrow section (4 mm) CT was used with bolus intravenous enhancement to examine the root of the neck and axilla in 62 patients with cancer, many of whom had symptoms of brachial plexus neuropathy. The normal anatomy of the plexus and its relations are described and illustrated. Examples of pathological changes caused by tumour and irradiation are also presented. The narrow scanning width (4 mm) is needed as the details sought are small and will be missed on thicker slice widths, particularly the changes of fibrosis in the upper axilla. Injection of intravenous contrast medium is essential for identifying the vascular structures which are used to locate the brachial plexus, especially when disease processes and post-irradiation fibrosis have destroyed the tissue planes.     

Preoperative evaluation of abdominal aortic aneurysms by computed tomography

A prospective, preoperative study was conducted of 50 electively repaired abdominal aortic aneurysms comparing the CT and angiographic findings with those described at surgery. CT demonstrated all 50 aneurysms and correctly identified their proximal extent in relation to the takeoff of the renal arteries in 47 patients (94%), while angiography detected 48 aneurysms (96%) and their correct relation to the renal arteries in all (100%). CT correctly identified 40 (98%) of 41 patients with two renal arteries, but only two (29%) of seven with three and none of two patients with four arteries. Common iliac artery involvement or lack thereof was accurately predicted in 42 (84%) of the 50 patients and internal iliac artery aneurysms found in one (33%) of three patients. It was concluded that CT is not sufficiently accurate for documenting location and patency of the renal arteries to allow its routine substitution for angiography in patients undergoing preoperative assessment of abdominal aortic aneurysms.     

Traumatic pulmonary pathology measured with computed tomography and a semiautomated analytic method

The goal of this study is to develop a controlled approach to quantifying the amount of lung damage after blunt chest trauma. The presented method is used to analyze computed tomography scans and to assess patients' risk for developing acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). When used to predict which patients were at risk for ARDS, the method presented in this study had a sensitivity of 57% and a specificity of 100%.     

The use of computed tomography in evaluating chest wall pathology

Forty-nine patients with chest wall lesions were evaluated by computed tomography (CT) and conventional radiography. Computed tomography was found to be indispensable for detecting and precisely localizing these lesions. It revealed unsuspected bone destruction and lung, pleural, and mediastinal involvement, as well as invasion of the spinal canal. In more than two thirds of the patients, CT provided additional information of clinical importance in management and, in one third, treatment was altered or the surgical approach modified because of the CT findings. Computed tomography is an essential diagnostic modality in evaluating chest wall lesions.     

Pancreatic pseudocyst: comparative evaluation by sonography and computed tomography

Fifty-four patients were referred to rule out pancreatic pseudocyst. These patients underwent both sonographic and abdominal computed tomographic (CT) examinations for the evaluation of suspected pseudocysts. Among the 54 cases were 24 with proven pseudocysts. CT correctly identified 23 of the 24 pseudocysts with one false-negative and two false-positive studies. With sonography, the studies were technically inadequate in 20 of the 54 patients examined. Sonography correctly diagnosed 18 of the 24 pseudocysts; however, in 10 of these 18 cases sonographic findings were incomplete relative to CT findings. There were one false-negative and three false-positive sonographic studies. On the basis of this study, it was concluded that CT is more accurate than sonography in both diagnosing and demonstrating the extent of pseudocysts of the pancreas.