Measurements on 3D models of human skulls derived from two different cone beam CT scanners

Abstract

The aims of this study were to compare measurements on three-dimensional (3D) models of human skulls derived from two different cone beam CT scanners (CBCT) and to evaluate if the used hardware can influence the performed measurements. CBCT scans of 40 dry human skulls with both the i-CAT and the Iluma cone beam CT scanners were made. From the CBCT scans, 3D models were constructed. One operator identified 19 landmarks five times on both types of 3D models with a time interval of 1 week. Intra-observer reliability was high for most measurements. There was a statistically significant and clinically relevant difference for some measurements between constructed 3D models of the same skull from the two different CBCT devices. Used hardware for scanning might influence the measurements performed. This means that care should be taken when interpreting measurements made on CBCT 3D models derived from different CBCT devices.