title: Radiographic evaluation of periapical lesions with and without biopsy-proven actinomyces: a pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the feasibility of identifying potential radiometric differences in periapical radiolucencies with and without actinomycotic colonization as seen on periapical radiographs using histopathology for ground truth.
  
  
  METHODS
  Periapical radiographs demonstrating apical lesions with and without biopsy-proven actinomycosis were included in the study. Lesion sizes were estimated on standardized images using anatomical reference points. The reading session was repeated after 2 weeks, and mean lesion sizes were calculated. All measurements were made by a single, calibrated observer.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean dimension of lesions with actinomyces was 13.51 × 16.43 mm, while lesions without actinomyces had a mean size of 10.24 × 11.27 mm.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Apical lesions with biopsy-proven actinomyces may be larger in dimension than those without bacterial colonization. Further controlled studies are required to confirm this finding.
authors.affiliation: College of Dentistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Riya M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Kuklani
authors.forename: Indraneel
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Bhattacharyya
authors.forename: Madhu K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Nair
mesh_terms: D000196:Actinomycosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D000539:Alveolar Process / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D001485:Basement Membrane / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D001706:Biopsy; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D015588:Observer Variation; D010483:Periapical Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000382:microbiology*; D010513:Periodontal Ligament / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016300:Radiography, Bitewing; D019252:Radiography, Dental, Digital; D016037:Single-Blind Method