Is Computed Tomography an Adequate Imaging Modality for the Evaluation of Juvenile Ossifying Fibroma? A Comparison of 2 Imaging Modalities (Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging).
OBJECTIVE
Given the problems of overuse of medical technology and the current burden of health care cost in the United States, it is important to establish clear imaging guidelines to diagnose conditions such as juvenile ossifying fibroma (JOF). This study compared the efficacy of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the evaluation of JOF and thus could aid establishing such guidelines.


METHODS
Radiologic criteria were established by 2 radiologists to compare the efficacy of CT and MRI in the evaluation of JOF. The following parameters were compared: presence of a well-defined corticated border, presence of a well-delineated internal calcified component, fluid-to-fluid levels, and anatomic extent of the lesion. Six patients diagnosed with JOF of the craniofacial bones from 2002 to 2013 had preoperative CT and MRI studies available for review.


RESULTS
After review of CT and MRI images, fluid-to-fluid levels and anatomic extent of the lesions were comparable on CT and MRI. However, the corticated borders and the internal calcified component were better defined on CT images, which also enabled for distinction between the 2 subtypes of JOF. No MRI characteristics were identified that allowed for this distinction.


CONCLUSIONS
Based on these findings, CT is an adequate and preferable imaging modality in the evaluation of JOF.
Chief Resident, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA.
Adepitan A
AA
Owosho
Assistant Professor, Division of Neuroradiology, Department of Radiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA.
Marion A
MA
Hughes
Assistant Professor, Department of Diagnostic Sciences, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA.
Joanne L
JL
Prasad
Assistant Professor, Department of Diagnostic Sciences, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA. Electronic address: anp60@pitt.edu.
Anitha
A
Potluri
Professor of Craniofacial and Cleft Surgery, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA.
Bernard J
BJ
Costello
Professor of Radiology, Otolaryngology, and Biomedical Informatics, Division of Neuroradiology, Department of Radiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA.
Barton F
BF
Branstetter
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D018214:Fibroma, Ossifying / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012888:Skull Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*
D003287:Contrast Media