Evaluation of volumetric measurements on CBCT images using stafne bone cavities as an example

BACKGROUND The aim of the present study is to evaluate the efficacy of CBCT in volume measuring using Stafne Bone Cavities (SBC) as an example. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study was conducted with 14 subjects with SBC detected on panoramic radiographs. In order to evaluate lesions volumetric dimensions, CBCT images for each patient were captured. Files in Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) format were transferred into a medical image processing program (ITK-SNAP 2.4.0) and volume in mm3 of the cavities were measured using semi-automatic segmentation procedure by 2 observers blinded to each other over a one-month period. Inter-reliability of volumetric measurements between observers was compared. SBCs relation to mandibular canal was also examined and three types of relation were observed; type 1: mandibular canal is separated from the SBC, type 2: mandibular canal is in contact with SBC, type 3: mandibular canal goes through the SBC. RESULTS There were 12 males and 2 females who had SBC in this study (age range: 37-73, mean age: 55.3 years). The total volume of SBC in patients ranged from 160 mm3 to 520 mm3 (mean: 361.7 mm3). There was no significant difference between observers for volume measurements (p>0.05). According to relationship of SBC with mandibular canal, most SBCs were Type 1 (64.3 %) followed by type 3 (21.4 %) and type 2 (14.3 %). Pearson correlation coefficient shows a positive correlation between lesions volumetric size and relation with mandibular canal (pearson correlation = 0.54, sig < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Based on the results of this preliminary study, CBCT was considered to be an effective radiographic technic for measuring volumetric sizes of SBCs. However further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to prove the usefulness of CBCT in volume measurements.