• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.65-70
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• 2019

Purpose: To determine whether calcified carotid atherosclerotic plaques(CCAPs) and mineralized laryngeal cartilages (MLCs) were more frequently detected on digital or film-based panoramic radiographs. The clinical relevance of this question is that some radiopacities seen on digital radiographs may correspond to medium-density tissues that are not necessarily mineralized. Materials and Methods: Data were collected from panoramic radiographs and the respective reports issued by 2 private oral radiology centers. A total of 388 radiographs and reports were divided into film-based (group A) and digital (group D) radiographs. The frequencies of CCAPs and MLCs were analyzed using the Fisher exact test, and odds ratios were also calculated (${\alpha}=1%$). Results: The mean age of patients whose reports and radiographs showed CCAPs and/or MLCs ranged from 50.1 to 54.1 years. There was a predominance of females. A higher frequency of CCAPs and MLCs was observed in group D than in group A at both centers(P<0.01). CCAPs and MLCs were detected 4 times more frequently in group D than in group A at one of the centers. Conclusion: CCAPs and MLCs were more frequently detected on digital than on film-based panoramic radiographs. Further studies are needed to determine whether such radiopacities do indeed correspond to mineralized, rather than medium-density, tissues.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.309-318
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• 2020

Purpose: This study investigated correlations between findings on panoramic radiographs and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) to assess the relationship between the maxillary sinus floor and the roots of maxillary posterior teeth. In addition, radiographic signs indicating actual root protrusion into the maxillary sinus were evaluated on panoramic radiographs. Materials and Methods: Paired panoramic radiographs and CBCT images from 305 subjects were analyzed. This analysis classified 2,440 maxillary premolars and molars according to their relationship with the maxillary sinus floor on panoramic radiographs and CBCT images. In addition, interruption of the sinus floor was examined on panoramic radiographs. Results: Root protrusion into the maxillary sinus occurred most frequently in the mesiobuccal roots of the second molars. The classification according to panoramic radiographs and CBCT images was the same in more than 90% of cases when there was no contact between the root apex and the sinus floor. When the panoramic radiograph showed root protrusion into the sinus, the CBCT images showed the same classification in 67.5% of second molars, 48.8% of first molars, and 53.3% of second premolars. There was a statistically significant relationship between interruption of the sinus floor on panoramic radiographs and root protrusion into the sinus on CBCT images. Conclusion: The presence of root protrusion into the sinus on panoramic radiographs demonstrated a moderate ability to predict root protrusion into the maxillary sinus. Interruption of the maxillary sinus floor could be considered an indicator of actual root protrusion into the maxillary sinus.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.187-193
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• 2021

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the usefulness of machine learning and automation techniques to match pairs of panoramic radiographs for personal identification. Materials and Methods: Two hundred panoramic radiographs from 100 patients (50 males and 50 females) were randomly selected from a private radiological service database. Initially, 14 linear and angular measurements of the radiographs were made by an expert. Eight ratio indices derived from the original measurements were applied to a statistical algorithm to match radiographs from the same patients, simulating a semi-automated personal identification process. Subsequently, measurements were automatically generated using a deep neural network for image recognition, simulating a fully automated personal identification process. Results: Approximately 85% of the radiographs were correctly matched by the automated personal identification process. In a limited number of cases, the image recognition algorithm identified 2 potential matches for the same individual. No statistically significant differences were found between measurements performed by the expert on panoramic radiographs from the same patients. Conclusion: Personal identification might be performed with the aid of image recognition algorithms and machine learning techniques. This approach will likely facilitate the complex task of personal identification by performing an initial screening of radiographs and matching ante-mortem and post-mortem images from the same individuals.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.24-28
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• 2009

Purpose: This was conducted to assess the need for conventional radiographs of the thoracolumbar spine for routine screening of trauma patients who revealed no spinal trauma on chest and abdominal computed tomography (CT). Methods: We performed a retrospective review of the medical records of trauma patients who underwent conventional radiographs of the thoracolumbar spine following a chest and abdominal CT that revealed no spinal trauma. Results: Two hundred seventy-five trauma patients underwent conventional radiographs of the thoracolumbar spine following a chest and abdominal CT that revealed no spinal trauma. In 274 of the cases, the thoracolumbar spine series was also negative. Conclusion: CT of the chest and abdomen is an adequate evaluation of the thoracolumbar spine in trauma patients who require routine thoracolumbar spine screening, making subsequent conventional radiographs of the thoracolumbar spine unnecessary.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.153-158
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• 2001

Purpose : To determine the head position that the superior border of the mandibular canal as well as mental foramen can be more clearly visualized in panoramic radiography Materials and Methods : Ten dry mandibles were radiographed bilaterally using PM 2002 CC panoramic machine. A 20 mm thick aluminium filter was added to the slit collimator to obtain radiographs with acceptable density. The specimens were tilted by 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 degrees downward with and without radiopaque markers. Radiopaque markers were inserted into the mandibular canals and the mental canals of each side of the specimens to serve as reference image when assessing the radiographs. The visibility of the mandibular canal and the mental foramen was estimated by 4 observers on all radiographs. The obtained results were analyzed statistically. Results: Mandibular canals were significantly more clearly visible in the radiographs with 4 and 6 degree downward position on both sides (P<0.05). Mental foramens were significantly more clearly visible in the radiographs with 4, 6, and 8 degree downward on right side and 6 degree downward on left side (P<0.05). There was not significant difference between right and left sides. Conclusion: Panoramic radiographs with 4 to 6 degree downward tilting could be valuable in locating the mandibular canal as well as the mental foramen.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.49-54
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• 2000

Purpose : To compare the diagnostic performance of clinical and radiologic examination for the interproximal caries on intraoral periapical radiographs and to evaluate the value of periapical radiographs. Methods: One hundred seven dental patients were examined clinically, with a mouth mirror and an explorer, by a dentist at the department of oral medicine, and the presence or absence of interproximal caries lesion was recorded. The patients were prescribed one or more dental periapical radiographs. Radiographs were assessed for the presence of interproximal caries by three oral and maxillofacial radiologists independantly. Two thousand sixty interproximal surfaces were included in this study. The diagnostic accuracies of clinical and radiologic examinations for interproximal caries were calculated. To assess the degree of agreement between clinical and radiologic examinations, Cohen's coefficient of agreement was computed. Results: The specificity of clinical and radiologic examination was 0.991, 0.997 and the sensitivity was 0.279, 0.985 respectively. The diagnostic accuracy of radiologic examination was statistically significantly higher than that of clinical examination (P<0.05). Cohen's kappa value of clinical and radiologic examination was 0.335, 0.942 respectively. These results suggested that clinical examination show only fair agreement, whereas radiologic examination show perfect agreement. Conclusion: The diagnositic performance of the dental periapical radiographs on interproximal caries were higher than that of clinical examination, thus this study showed the validity of periapical radiographs for detecting interproximal caries lesion without bitewing radiograph.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.99-105
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• 2002

Purpose: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of transcranial radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) in the assessment of osseous changes of the condylar head and articular eminence. Materials and Methods: Osseous changes of the TMJ were evaluated in forty-three patients. Osseous changes of the condylar head and articular eminence were observed in 41 joints and 64 joints, respectively on transcranial radiographs, and 48 joints and 59 joints, respectively on MRI. Results: The flattening, sclerosis, erosion, and osteophyte formation of the condylar heads were observed in 36.6%, 43.9%, 12.2%, and 7.3%, respectively on transcranial radiographs compared with 35.4%, 20.8%, 37.5%, and 6.3%, respectively on MRI. While, the flattening, sclerosis, and erosion of the articular eminences were observed in 26.6%, 67.2%, and 6.2%, respectively on transcranial radiographs compared with 32.2%, 59.3%, and 8.5%, respectively on MRI. Conclusion: There were no statistical differences between transcranial radiographs and MRI scans in the detection of osseous changes of the TMJ. However, MRI scans were superior to the transcranial radiographs in the detection of erosion of the condylar head (p<0.01).

• Journal of Korean Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.99-107
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• 1995

The aim of this study was to evaluate clinician's detectability in the diagnosis of bone loss in the bifurcation of mandibular molars on periapical radiographs and Digital images. Periapical radiographs were obtained of the first molars in 2 dry mandibles after preparation of bony defects corresponding to degree I, degree II and degree III buccal furcation involvements. The radiographs were randomly presented to 39 clinicians(1 oral radiologist, 4 periodontist, 34 general dentists) who were asked to determine the presence or absence of bone loss. Periapical films were digitized with a TV camera. Digital images were assessed by 15 clinicians(1 oral radiologist, 4 periodontist, 10 general dentists). I. the overall diagnostic accuracy of Digital images for detection of bone loss in the bifurcation of mandibular molars was higher than that of the periapical radiographs. 2. the largest increase in diagnostic accuracy was found between lesion grade II and III on both radiographs and Digital images(P<0.05). 3. there was no significant difference between the standard state and the controlled contrast state on Digital images. 4. the overall diagnostic accuracy of I radiologist and 4 periodontists was better than that of the general dentists for detecting bifurcation involvements.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.305-316
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• 1994

The comparative detectability of the artificial defects among conventional radiographs, digital images and digital subtraction images was evaluated. The artificial defects were made within spogy bone of 24 unilateral mandibles of adult dogs. The results were as follows: 1. With normal exposure time, the detectability of digital subtraction radiographs was 90.3% which was statistically significant superior to those of conventional radiographs(78.0%) and digital images(75.9%) (p<0.05). 2. With half-exposure time, the detectability of conventional radiographs, digital images and digital subtraction radiographs was 68.4%, 67.3% and 69.9% respectively. There was no statistical significant difference among the detectability of these methods(p>0.05). 3. All radiographic images with normal exposure time showed statistically significant superior detectability to those with half-exposure time(p<0.05). 4. The detectability of digital subtraction radiographs was not linearly related to the standard deviation of the grey levels of reference line(p<0.05).

• Journal of Korean Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.71-80
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• 1984

The author has studied each landmark for successful interpretation in the radiograph of the head that have the complex anatomic structures, using panoramic radiograph, postero-anterior cephalometric radiograph, lateral cephalometric radiograph, Waters' radiograph of the skull. The anatomic structures of the human dry skull attached by radiopaque materials were taken radiographs and analysed comparatively. The results were as follows: 1. The overall anatomic structures of the mandible showed sharp images in the panoramic radiograph than other radiographs with relatively less distortion, superimposition, blurring of the image. 2. The anatomic structures were situated on sagital plane of the skull showed blurred images in panoramic radiograph than other radiographs. 3. The anatomic structures which were situated on the basal portion of the skull showed blurred and secondary images in the panoramic radiograph than other radiographs. 4. In the panoramic radiograph, the lower 3rd portion of the orbit appeared to be superimposed with the superior portion of the maxillary sinus and the medial and lateral surface of the nasal cavity showed extensively superimposition of the orbit and the maxillary sinus, which images showed blurring. 5. The inferior surface and posterior surface of maxillary sinus showed to be good image in the panoramic radiograph than other radiographs. 6. In the panoramic radiograph, line of maxillary bone between lateral pterygoid plate, line of maxillary bone between zygomatic bone showed distinct image with another structures.