Abstract
Introduction
The aim of this study was to compare the diagnostic accuracy of cone beam computed
tomography (CBCT) scans with different voxel resolutions in the detection of simulated
vertical root fracture (VRF).
Methods
Sixty teeth, 30 with root fractures and 30 without, were examined through i-CAT tomography
at 4 different voxel resolutions (0.125, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4 mm). Three observers scored
the presence of VRF in all modalities. Sensitivity, specificity, likelihood ratio,
and accuracy were calculated for each modality.
Results
Chi-square statistical analysis showed no significant difference among the resolutions
or observers. However, positive likelihood ratio values of 24.5 for a 0.125-mm voxel,
24.25 for a 0.2-mm voxel, 13.2 for a 0.3-mm voxel, and 13 for a 0.4-mm voxel were
found. Accuracy results confirmed the likelihood ratios as 0.97, 0.96, 0.93, and 0.92,
respectively.
Conclusions
CBCT scans were reliable in detecting simulated VRF, and a 0.2-mm voxel was the best
protocol, considering the lower x-ray exposure and good diagnostic performance.
Key Words
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: November 09, 2010
Identification
Copyright
© 2011 American Association of Endodontists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
