A comparison of frontal radiographs

obtained from cone beam CT scans and

conventional frontal radiographs of
human skulls
 May 2009
 International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 38(7):773-8

DOI:10.1016/j.ijom.2009.02.024

 Source
 PubMed

Authors:

O.J.C. van Vlijmen

Stefaan Berge

 Radboud University Medical Centre (Radboudumc)

Ewald M Bronkhorst

 Radboud University

Gwen R J Swennen

 AZ Sint-Jan Brugge-Oostende

ABSTRACT

This study evaluated whether measurements on conventional frontal radiographs are

comparable with measurements on cone beam computed tomography (CBCT)-constructed
frontal cephalometric radiographs taken from dry human skulls. CBCT scans and conventional
frontal cephalometric radiographs were made of 40 dry skulls. With I-Cat Vision((R)) software,
a cephalometric radiograph was constructed from the CBCT scan. Standard cephalometric
software was used to identify landmarks and calculate ratios and angles. The same operator
identified 10 landmarks on both types of cephalometric radiographs on all Images 5 times with
a time-interval of 1 week. Intra-observer reliability was acceptable for all measurements. The
reproducibility of the measurements on the frontal radiographs obtained from the CBCT scans
was higher than those on conventional frontal radiographs. There is a statistically significant
and clinically relevant difference between measurements on conventional and constructed
frontal radiographs. There is a clinically relevant difference between angular measurements
performed on conventional frontal cephalometric radiographs, compared with measurements
on frontal cephalometric radiographs constructed from CBCT scans, owing to different
positioning of patients in both devices. Positioning of the patient in the CBCT device appears to
be an important factor in cases where a 2D projection of the 3D scan is made.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/24280104_A_comparison_of_frontal_radiographs_obt
ained_from_cone_beam_CT_scans_and_conventional_frontal_radiographs_of_human_skulls