Lateral cephalometric analysis for treatment planning in orthodontics based on MRI compared with radiographs: A feasibility study in children and adolescents.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this prospective study was to evaluate whether magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is equivalent to lateral cephalometric radiographs (LCR, "gold standard") in cephalometric analysis.


METHODS
The applied MRI technique was optimized for short scanning time, high resolution, high contrast and geometric accuracy. Prior to orthodontic treatment, 20 patients (mean age ± SD, 13.95 years ± 5.34) received MRI and LCR. MRI datasets were postprocessed into lateral cephalograms. Cephalometric analysis was performed twice by two independent observers for both modalities with an interval of 4 weeks. Eight bilateral and 10 midsagittal landmarks were identified, and 24 widely used measurements (14 angles, 10 distances) were calculated. Statistical analysis was performed by using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), Bland-Altman analysis and two one-sided tests (TOST) within the predefined equivalence margin of ± 2°/mm.


RESULTS
Geometric accuracy of the MRI technique was confirmed by phantom measurements. Mean intraobserver ICC were 0.977/0.975 for MRI and 0.975/0.961 for LCR. Average interobserver ICC were 0.980 for MRI and 0.929 for LCR. Bland-Altman analysis showed high levels of agreement between the two modalities, bias range (mean ± SD) was -0.66 to 0.61 mm (0.06 ± 0.44) for distances and -1.33 to 1.14° (0.06 ± 0.71) for angles. Except for the interincisal angle (p = 0.17) all measurements were statistically equivalent (p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrates feasibility of orthodontic treatment planning without radiation exposure based on MRI. High-resolution isotropic MRI datasets can be transformed into lateral cephalograms allowing reliable measurements as applied in orthodontic routine with high concordance to the corresponding measurements on LCR.
Department of Neuroradiology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.
Alexander
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0556-908X
A
Heil
Department of Neuroradiology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.
Eduardo
E
Lazo Gonzalez
Department of Neuroradiology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.
Tim
T
Hilgenfeld
Department of Neuroradiology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.
Philipp
P
Kickingereder
Department of Neuroradiology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.
Martin
M
Bendszus
Division of Experimental Radiology, Department of Neuroradiology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.
Sabine
S
Heiland
Institute for Medical Biometry and Informatics, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.
Ann-Kathrin
AK
Ozga
Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics, Heidelberg University Hospital, Germany.
Andreas
A
Sommer
Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics, Heidelberg University Hospital, Germany.
Christopher J
CJ
Lux
Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics, Heidelberg University Hospital, Germany.
Sebastian
S
Zingler
D000293:Adolescent; D002508:Cephalometry / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006257:Head / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D009970:Orthodontics / Q000379:methods*; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*