Cone Beam CT Flashcards
(52 cards)
What does cross-sectional mean?
Able to take “slices” out of the subject.
Why are cross-sectional images useful?
Very useful for looking at things WITHIN the tissues WITHOUT SUPERIMPOSITION.
What is CBCT?
- Cone beam computed tomography.
- A form of CROSS-SECTIONAL imaging suitable for assessing RADIODENSE STRUCTURES.
Where is CBCT available on the NHS?
Only in SECONDARY CARE.
(can receive it in PRIMARY care if going PRIVATE).
What are the 2 main parts of a CBCT machine?
- Square digital detector.
- Conical/ pyramidal X-ray beam.
X ray beam and detector always OPPOSITE each other, area of interest caught in the middle.
What happens during image acquisition of CBCT?
Conical/ pyramidal X-ray beam and square digital detector rotate around head - NO MORE THAN 1 FULL ROTATION.
- Captures many 2D images (ex. 200) which are reconstructed into a cylindrical 3D image.
How many rotations does the CBCT machine make?
NO MORE THAN 1 FULL ROTATION.
What is the head positioning for CBCT?
- Horizontal: Frankfort plane (head level with ground).
- Vertical: midsagittal plane.
4 benefits of CBCR over plain radiography?
- No superimposition.
- Ability to view subject from any angle.
- No magnification/. distortion.
- Allows for 3D reconstruction.
6 downsides of CBCT over plain radiography?
- Increased radiation dose.
- Lower spatial resolution (less sharp).
- Susceptible to artefacts.
- Equipment more expensive.
- Images more complicated to manipulate and interpret.
- Requires additional training (to justify, operate and interpret).
What is CBCT good at showing? What is it bad at showing?
- Good for looking at teeth and bone.
- Bad at looking at fat, muscle, mucosa as cannot show enough contrast between them.
4 benefits of CBCT over CT?
- Lower radiation dose.
- Potential for “sharper” images (higher resolution)
- Cheaper
- Smaller (easier to fit in practice).
4 benefits of CT over CBCT?
- Able to differentiate soft tissues better.
- Cleaner images (better signal to noise ratio).
- Larger field of view possible.
5 common uses of CBCT in dentistry?
- Clarifying relationship between impacted mandibular 3rd molar and ID canal (AFTER PLAIN RADIOGRAPH SUGGESTED A CLOSE RELATIONSHIP).
- Measuring alveolar bone dimensions to plan implant treatment.
- Visualizing complex root canal morphology to aid endodontic treatment.
- Investigating root resorption next to impacted/ ectopic teeth.
- Assessing large cystic jaw lesions and their involvement of important anatomical structures.
What is the most common way to look at CBCT images?
Using the ORTHOGONAL PLANES:
- Axial (above/below.
- Sagittal (side).
- Coronal (front/back).
2 benefits of 3D volume reconstruction?
- May help clinician to picture EXTENT/SHAPE of disease.
- Teaching aid for patients.
1 drawback of 3D volume reconstruction?
- Can create misleading images - particularly poor at showing THIN BONE.
When are the imaging factors/ variables set?
Set BEFORE the scan starts.
What does changing the imaging factors change? How are these variables decided?
- Changes the INFORMATION OBTAINED & PATIENT DOSE.
- Decided on a CASE-BY CASE BASIS using ALARP.
3 examples of imaging factors/ variables?
- Field of view.
- Voxel size.
- Acquisition time (ex. 10 secs).
What is the field of view?
The size of the captured volume of data.
2 disadvantages of scatter?
- Can irradiate structures around the patient.
- Result in worse contrast on the image.
Why do we want to have the smallest FOV possible?
Results in a REDUCED RADIATION DOSE.