Is 3D-CT reformation using free software applicable to diagnosis of bone changes in mandibular condyles?
OBJECTIVE
This study evaluated the agreement of computed tomography (CT) imaging using 3D reformations (3DR) with shaded surface display (SSD) and maximum intensity projection (MIP) in the diagnosis of bone changes in mandibular condyles of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and compared findings with multiplanar reformation (MPR) images, used as the criterion standard.


METHODS
Axial CT images of 44 temporomandibular joints (TMJs) of 22 patients with RA were used. Images were recorded in DICOM format and assessed using free software (ImageJ). Each sample had its 3DR-SSD and 3DR-MIP results compared in pairs with the MPR results.


RESULTS
Slight agreement (k = 0.0374) was found in almost all comparisons. The level of agreement showed that 3DR-SSD and 3DR-MIP yielded a number of false-negative results that was statistically significant when compared with MPR.


CONCLUSIONS
3DR-SSD or 3DR-MIP should only be used as adjuvant techniques to MPR in the diagnosis of bone changes in mandibular condyles.
de Oliveira
Marília Gerhardt
MG
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Dentistry, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil. mogerhardt@yahoo.com.br
Morais
Luciano Engelmann
LE
Silva
Daniela Nascimento
DN
de Oliveira
Helena Willhelm
HW
Heitz
Cláiton
C
Gaião
Lêonilson
L
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008335:Mandibular Condyle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011857:Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D011873:Radiology Information Systems; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012984:Software; D013704:Temporomandibular Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D036542:Tomography, Spiral Computed