Radiographs Of Diagnostic Quality Research Articles

Dental anomalies: prevalence and associations between them in a large sample of non-orthodontic subjects, a cross-sectional study

BackgroundTo analyze the prevalence and associations between dental anomalies detectable on panoramic radiographs in a sample of non-orthodontic growing subjects.MethodsFor this cross-sectional study, digital panoramic radiographs of 5005 subjects were initially screened from a single radiographic center in Rome. Inclusion criteria were: subjects who were aged 8–12 years, Caucasian, and had good diagnostic quality radiographs. Syndromic subjects, those with craniofacial malformation, or orthodontic patients were excluded and this led to a sample of 4706 subjects [mean (SD) age = 9.6 (1.2) years, 2366 males and 2340 females]. Sample was subsequently divided into four subgroups (8, 9, 10, and 11–12 year-old groups). Two operators examined panoramic radiographs to observe the presence of common dental anomalies. The prevalence and associations between dental anomalies were also investigated.ResultsThe overall prevalence of dental anomalies was 20.9%. Approximately, 17.9% showed only one anomaly, 2.7% two anomalies, while only 0.3% had more than two anomalies. The most frequent anomalies were the displacement of maxillary canine (7.5%), hypodontia (7.1%), impacted teeth (3.9%), tooth ankylosis (2.8%), and tooth transposition (1.4%). The lower right second premolar was the most frequent missing teeth; 3.7% had only one tooth agenesis, and 0.08% had six or more missing tooth (Oligodontia). Mesiodens was the most common type of supernumerary tooth (0.66%). Two subjects had taurodontic tooth (0.04%). Tooth transpositions and displacement of maxillary canine were seen in 1.4 and 7.5%, retrospectively (approximately 69 and 58% were in the 8 and 9 year-old groups, retrospectively). Significant associations were detected between the different dental anomalies (P < .05).ConclusionsThe results of our study revealed significant associations among different dental anomalies and provide further evidences to support common etiological factors.

RADIOGRAPHIC TECHNIQUE AND ANATOMY OF THE EQUINE SACROILIAC REGION

Radiography is part of evaluating horses with poor performance and pelvic limb lameness; however, the radiographic appearance of the sacroiliac region is poorly described. The goal of the present study was to describe the use of a simple technique to obtain radiographs of the sacroiliac region in the anesthetized horse and to describe the radiographic appearance of this region. Seventy-nine horses underwent radiography of the pelvis under general anesthesia in dorsal recumbency. During a 5s exposure time the horse was actively ventilated to blur the abdominal viscera, which allowed assessment of individual bone structures in 77 horses. A large variation in the shape of the sacral wings, their articulation with the transverse processes of L6, and the relation of the sacrum to the ilium were observed. Females had significantly narrower width of the sacral wings. Broad sacral wings and bony proliferations at the caudal aspect were commonly observed features and their size was highly correlated with gender. In males, caudal osteophytes were significantly larger than in females. Five horses had transitional or hemitransitional vertebrae. Radiography with the ventilation-induced blurring technique is a simple approach that results in diagnostic quality radiographs and delineation of the highly variable bone structures of the sacroiliac region.

Odontogenic myxoma: review of the literature and report of 30 cases from South Africa

The purpose of the study was to analyze the clinical and radiographic features of central odontogenic myxomas (OM) of the jaws diagnosed over 23 years in a black South African patient sample. Records of 30 cases of OMs with radiographs of diagnostic quality were retrieved from 52 cases of histopathologically verified OMs from the archives of the Oral Health Center at the University of Limpopo, South Africa. The age, sex, size, location, and radiographic features were compared with the literature. The study consisted of 21 females and 9 males. The correlation between age and size of the tumor was found to be statistically significant (P = .004). Septa were shown to be either reorientated cortical bone or sheets of dense fibrous connective tissue. Indistinct borders mimicked malignancy. The most common radiographic feature was the tennis-racket appearance. Variations in radiographic presentation make a radiological differential interpretation of OM challenging because the radiographic features overlap with those of other benign and malignant neoplasms.

Volume Visualization in Radiation Treatment Planning

Radiation treatment planning (RTP), historically an image-intensive discipline and one of the first areas in which 3D information from imaging was clinically applied, has become even more critically dependent on accurate 3D definition of target and non-target structures in recent years with the advent of conformal radiation therapy. In addition to the interactive display of wireframe or shaded surface models of anatomic objects, proposed radiation beams, beam modifying devices, and calculated dose distributions, recently significant use has been made of direct visualization of relevant anatomy from image data. Dedicated systems are commercially available for the purpose of geometrically optimizing beam placement, implementing in virtual reality the functionality of standard radiation therapy simulators. Such "CT simulation" systems rely heavily on 3D visualization and on reprojection of image data to produce simulated radiographs for comparison with either diagnostic-quality radiographs made on a simulator or megavoltage images made using the therapeutic beams themselves. Although calculation and analysis of dose distributions is an important component of radiation treatment design, geometric targeting with optimization based on 3D anatomic information is frequently performed as a separate step independent of dose calculations.

Diagnostic Imaging

Diagnostic imaging of ratite species is a challenge, even to the specialist. A portable radiography unit is frequently inadequate to penetrate the coelomic cavity of large birds, but should provide diagnostic quality radiographs of the extremities. Ultrasonography allows visualization of the coelomic structures, but will not penetrate gas or air. Use of both technologies often provides diagnostic information helpful to the clinician.

Automatic film processing: analysis of 9 years of observations.

A survey method known as the sensitometric technique for the evaluation of processing (STEP) has been used to monitor processing speed of over 2,000 automatic film processors in hospitals, private offices, and mammography facilities since 1981. Analysis of data obtained through this program revealed underprocessing at 33% (76 of 231) of observed hospitals in 1987, 7% (13 of 179) of mammography facilities in 1988, and 42% (101 of 241) of private practices in 1989. Underprocessing at mammography facilities decreased from 18% (25 of 139) in 1985, which was contrary to the trend in hospitals. The consequence of underprocessing is higher radiation exposure and a degradation in film contrast. Evaluation of automatic film processors is a necessary part of any comprehensive evaluation of a diagnostic radiography facility. The STEP procedure was designed only as a field survey test; to ensure optimal conditions for obtainment of diagnostic quality radiographs, facilities should perform quality assurance evaluations of their processing equipment and verify that processing recommendations of manufacturers are being followed.

Portable x-ray unit using a radioactive source for oral radiography.

An emission radiographic imaging system that is lightweight, compact and portable was developed that can produce diagnostic quality radiographs of the oral region with reasonable exposure times. The imaging system consists of a radioisotope camera as the photon source and a rare earth-screen film-combination as the image receptor. The radioisotopes iodine-125, ytterbium-169, and gadolinium-153 were evaluated as photon sources. Lanex regular and fast rare-earth screens in combination with OM, OG, and OH film were evaluated as possible image receptors. Diagnostic quality radiographs were produced with most systems. However, the radioisotope camera mated to gadolinium-153 and utilizing the Lanex regular-OH screen-film combination produced radiographs with the best combination of speed, resolution, and subjective image quality, closely resembling a typical dental panoramic radiograph.

Effect of fractionated administration of Telepaque on gallbladder visualization.

Visualization of the gallbladders of 100 patients who received 3 g (6 tablets) of Telepaque over a 6 hour period the day prior to the study was compared with visualization in a similar group of patients who were given the contrast medium according to the standard regimen of 6 tablets over 10 to 20 minutes, 12 to 14 hours before the study. There was a significant increase in the number of patients who had radiographs of diagnostic quality when the “new” method was used. Further study of the factors influencing gallbladder opacification is urged.

Phlebography of the lower extremity and pelvic region

Extralong-field phlebograms are described. Lesser saphenous vein cutdown at the ankle for portal of entry of contrast material, a pressure injector delivering a large volume of contrast material at low pressure, and the extralong-field seriograph combine to produce crisp radiographs of diagnostic quality over a field of 51 inches. Availability of this method has increased our indications for phlebography in patients with suspected venous disease. Situations in which phlebography has been of greatest value are: 1. 1. Unexplained edema of either or both legs. 2. 2. Localization of perforating veins and acute thromboses in cases with stasis ulceration of the leg. 3. 3. Suspected thrombosis, particularly when pulmonary embolism has occurred in the absence of any physical findings localizing the source of the emboli. 4. 4. Demonstration of patency and therefore prognosis after repair of a severed deep vein.