Abstract
To evaluate overall image quality and visibility of anatomic structures on low-dose cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans and the effect of a noise reduction filter for assessment of the anterior maxilla. We obtained 48 CBCT volumes on 8 skull-phantoms using 6 protocols: 2 clinical default protocols [standard definition (SD) and high definition (HD)] and 4 low-dose protocols, 2 with a noise reduction filter [ultra-low-dose with high definition (ULDHD) and ultra-low-dose (ULD)] and 2 without [low-dose with high definition (LDHD) and low-dose (LD)]. Overall image quality and visibility of 8 anatomic structures were assessed by 5 observers and statistically analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed rank test. Intra- and interobserver agreement was measured using Cohen's weighted kappa. HD provided higher overall image quality than diagnostically required; LD scored lower than diagnostically acceptable. ULDHD, ULD, and LDHD were acceptable. For anatomic structures, ULDHD and ULD were acceptable. LDHD and LD showed significantly inferior visibility for 1 and 4 structures, respectively. Mean values of intra- and interobserver agreement were 0.395 to 0.547 and 0.350 to 0.370, respectively. ULDHD, ULD, and LDHD may be recommended for assessment of impacted maxillary canines. The noise reduction filter affects image quality positively only at low exposure.
Highlights
Soft tissue was simulated by placing each skull into a clear close-fitted and water-filled plastic bag
The bag was placed into a cylindrical container made of 5.0mm thick acrylic, with a diameter of 20 cm
Our results suggest that the overall image quality was at a diagnostically acceptable level for the defined diagnostic task using the following 4 protocols: standard definition (SD), ultra-low-dose with high definition (ULDHD), ULD, and low-dose with high definition (LDHD)
Summary
To evaluate overall image quality and visibility of anatomic structures on low-dose cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans and the effect of a noise reduction filter for assessment of the anterior maxilla. We obtained 48 CBCT volumes on 8 skull-phantoms using 6 protocols: 2 clinical default protocols [standard definition (SD) and high definition (HD)] and 4 low-dose protocols, 2 with a noise reduction filter [ultra-low-dose with high definition (ULDHD) and ultra-low-dose (ULD)] and 2 without [low-dose with high definition (LDHD) and low-dose (LD)]. Overall image quality and visibility of 8 anatomic structures were assessed by 5 observers and statistically analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed rank test. ULDHD, ULD, and LDHD may be recommended for assessment of impacted maxillary canines. The noise reduction filter affects image quality positively only at low exposure. (Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol 2021;000:1À9)
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