Accuracy of the measurements from multiplanar and sagittal reconstructions of CBCT.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the accuracy of linear measurements performed in multiplanar reconstructions (MPR) and sagittal reconstructions (SR) of the left hemiface obtained from cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) with 3D® Dolphin Imaging software by comparing them with the same measurements made on lateral cephalograms and on dry skulls. Lateral cephalograms and CBCT (with voxels of 0.25, 0.3 and 0.4mm) were taken of 10 dry skulls. Linear distances were measured using the software's electronic rulers. Measurements performed on dry skulls using a digital caliper were considered the gold standard. The measurements were performed twice by two evaluators. No significant difference was found in the measurements performed with the different imaging modalities and on the dry skulls. The highest mean error was observed in the lateral cephalograms, followed by MPR and SR. Cephalometric measurements performed on multiplanar and sagittal reconstructions from CBCT, with different spatial resolutions, are accurate when compared with the measurements obtained in lateral cephalograms.