title: A comparative study for image quality and radiation dose of a cone beam computed tomography scanner and a multislice computed tomography scanner for paranasal sinus imaging.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate image quality and radiation dose of a state of the art cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) system and a multislice computed tomography (MSCT) system in patients with sinonasal poliposis.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this retrospective study two radiologists evaluated 57 patients with sinonasal poliposis who underwent a CBCT or MSCT sinus examination, along with a control group of 90 patients with normal radiological findings. Tissue doses were measured using a phantom model with thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLD).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall image quality in CBCT was scored significantly higher than in MSCT in patients with normal radiologic findings (p-value: 0.00001). In patients with sinonasal poliposis, MSCT scored significantly higher than CBCT (p-value: 0.00001). The average effective dose for MSCT was 42% higher compared to CBCT (108 μSv vs 63 μSv).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CBCT and MSCT are both suited for the evaluation of sinonasal poliposis. In patients with sinonasal poliposis, clinically important structures of the paranasal sinuses can be better delineated with MSCT, whereas in patients without sinonasal poliposis, CBCT turns out to define the important structures of the sinonasal region better. However, given the lower radiation dose, CBCT can be considered for the evaluation of the sinonasal structures in patients with sinonasal poliposis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  • CBCT and MSCT are both suited for evaluation of sinonasal poliposis. • Effective dose for MSCT was 42% higher compared to CBCT. • In patients with sinonasal poliposis, clinically important anatomical structures are better delineated with MSCT. • In patients with normal radiological findings, clinically important anatomical structures are better delineated with CBCT.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium, jensdecock84@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Jens
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: De Cock
authors.forename: Federica
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zanca
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Canning
authors.forename: Ruben
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pauwels
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hermans
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015588:Observer Variation; D010254:Paranasal Sinus Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D010256:Paranasal Sinuses / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013819:Thermoluminescent Dosimetry; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult