Diagnostic accuracy of limited‐volume cone‐beam computed tomography in the detection of periapical bone loss: 360° scans versus 180° scans

<jats:sec><jats:label /><jats:p><jats:bold>Lennon S, Patel S, Foschi F, Wilson R, Davies J, Mannocci F.</jats:bold> Diagnostic accuracy of limited‐volume cone‐beam computed tomography in the detection of periapical bone loss: 360° scans versus 180° scans. <jats:italic>International Endodontic Journal</jats:italic>, <jats:bold>44</jats:bold>, 1118–1127, 2011.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p><jats:bold>Aim </jats:bold> To investigate the effect of reducing limited‐volume cone‐beam computed tomographs arc of rotation from 360° to 180° on the ability to diagnose small, artificially created apical lesions.</jats:p><jats:p><jats:bold>Methodology </jats:bold> Small, artificial apical bone lesions were prepared with a bur in the apical region of the distal root of ten mandibular first molars, in human dry mandibles. The jaws were scanned in a fixed position with limited‐volume CBCT making a 360° and 180° arc of rotation, before and after each periapical lesion had been created. A 4 × 4 cm field of view was used at 90 kV, with a current of 4 mA. Ten examiners blinded to the scan parameters and controls scored the presence/absence of bone lesions. Intra‐examiner reliability was determined after 2 weeks, reviewing half the data set. Statistical analyses with paired <jats:italic>t</jats:italic>‐tests determined the diagnostic accuracy of the two modalities (360° vs. 180°) in terms of sensitivity, specificity, receiver operating characteristic area under the curve, positive predictive values and negative predictive values.</jats:p><jats:p><jats:bold>Results </jats:bold> The mean values for sensitivity of the 360° and 180° scans were 0.91 and 0.89, respectively; their mean specificities were 0.73. No significant differences were reflected in the statistical analyses.</jats:p><jats:p><jats:bold>Conclusions </jats:bold> Both 360° and 180° cone‐beam computed tomography scans yielded similar accuracy in the detection of artificial bone lesions. The use of 180° scans might be advisable to reduce the radiation dose to the patient in line with the ICRP guidance to use as low a dosage as reasonably achievable.</jats:p></jats:sec>