title: Indications of cone beam CT in head and neck imaging.
abstract: CONCLUSIONS
  Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) can be widely used in imaging of bony structures of the anterior and lateral skull base. Significant differences of applied dosages result from the different protocols of the various indications.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  CBCT is increasingly being used in head and neck imaging. Until now, no precise knowledge about its dedicated usage existed.
  
  
  METHODS
  All CBCT of 2012 and 2013 were analysed with regard to the technical parameters, the performance, and the indication for imaging.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In total, 1862 patients were examined in 2012 and 2013. The top eight indications of the anterior skull were (1) chronic rhinosinusitis with disturbed nasal breathing (30.3%); (2) chronic rhinosinusitis (17.6%); (3) midfacial traumatology (13.7%); (4) disturbed nasal breathing (12.8%); (5) acute rhinosinusitis (7.9%); (6) polyposis nasi (6.3%); (7) search for focus (3.9%); and (8) persistent rhinorrhea (1.2%). For the lateral skull base, the top eight were (1) control after cochlear implantation (28.4%); (2) cholesteatoma (19.7%); (3) visualization of ear anatomy (8.7%); (4) chronic otitis media mesotympanalis (6.3%); (5) conductive hearing loss (5.1%); (6) suspected mastoiditis (4.8%); (7) pathology of external auditory canal (4.8%); and (8) otosclerosis (3.3%). Applied dosage for the anterior skull base was significantly lower than for the lateral skull base (2.90 mGy vs 5.92 mGy, p < 0.05); 2.4% and 3.6% of patients' images, respectively, had to be repeated.
authors: a Department of ENT, Head and Neck surgery, UKGM , Marburg, Germany.
authors: Malene
authors: M
authors: Stutzki
authors: a Department of ENT, Head and Neck surgery, UKGM , Marburg, Germany.
authors: Evelyn
authors: E
authors: Jahns
authors: a Department of ENT, Head and Neck surgery, UKGM , Marburg, Germany.
authors: Magis Matthew
authors: MM
authors: Mandapathil
authors: a Department of ENT, Head and Neck surgery, UKGM , Marburg, Germany.
authors: Isabell
authors: I
authors: Diogo
authors: a Department of ENT, Head and Neck surgery, UKGM , Marburg, Germany.
authors: Jochen Alfred
authors: JA
authors: Werner
authors: a Department of ENT, Head and Neck surgery, UKGM , Marburg, Germany.
authors: Christian
authors: C
authors: Güldner
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006257:Head / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009333:Neck / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D010038:Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012886:Skull / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D019291:Skull Base / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: CBCT dosage; CBCT indications; Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT); head and neck imaging; paranasal sinuses imaging; temporal bone imaging