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Application of Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) Technology in Volumetric Analysis of Simulated Alveolar Cleft Defects and Bone Grafts: An Experimental Study
Bardia Amirlak MD / Cathy Tang / Devra Becker MD / J. Martin Palomo DDS,MSD / Arun K. Gosain MD
(1) Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Case Western School of Medicine, Cleveland, Oh
2010-03-31
Presenter: Bardia Amirlak
Affidavit:
Director Name:
Author Category: Resident/Fellow
Presentation Category: Basic Science Research
Abstract Category: Craniomaxillofacial
Back ground: CBCT is a new imaging technology which uses a cone-shaped x-ray beam rather than the linear beam of conventional spiral CT scans with significantly lower radiation dose, and can generate images of the maxillofacial skeleton which are considerably more accurate than conventional plain radiography. Assessment of pre- and post-alveolar cleft grafts are an integral part of ongoing management of cleft palate patients. The aim of this study was to validate the accuracy of CBCT in volumetry of alveolar cleft defects and simulated bone grafts.
Methods: Five simulated alveolar clefts were created using a burr drill in three dry pediatric skulls and filled with simulated bone grafts (polyvinyl siloxane). CBCT imaging was obtained of skulls pre- and post- grafting. Specialized imaging software was created to render volumetric measurements. Actual volumes of the simulated bone grafts were obtained with water displacement technique and were compared to the CBCT data.
Results: CBCT calculated volume of grafts had a mean difference of 4.2% less than actual volumes of grafts. Similarly the CBCT calculated volumes of the defects were comparable to actual volumes of grafts with mean difference of 2.3 % more.
Conclusion: Calculation of the volume of simulated bone grafts and simulated alveolar cleft defects using CBCT are precise and are accurate. These findings further validates the application of CBCT in the assessment of pre-and post- alveolar bone grafting .
