Panoramic radiograph, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. Which imaging technique should be preferred in bisphosphonate-associated osteonecrosis of the jaw? A prospective clinical study.

It was the aim of the present study to find out which radiological imaging techniques allow assessing the extent of bisphosphonate-associated osteonecrosis of the jaw (BONJ) in an adequate way. Twenty-four patients suffering from BONJ were included in the study. Before surgery, each patient was examined with panoramic radiograph, contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and non-enhanced computed tomography. The detectability of BONJ was assessed for the three imaging techniques. The extent of the jaw region affected by BONJ was determined in MRI and CT scans and compared to the intra-operative situation. The detectability of BONJ lesions was 54% for panoramic radiographs, 92% for MRI scans and 96% for computed tomography (CT) scans. The intra-operatively assessed extent of BONJ correlated significantly with the measurements on CT scans (p = 0.0004) but did not correlate significantly with the measurements in MRI scans (p = 0.241). The intra-operatively measured extent of BONJ differed significantly from the CT measurements (p = 0.00003) but not from the MRI data (p = 0.137). Although MRI as well as CT have a high detectability for BONJ lesions that exceeds that of panoramic radiographs by far, both techniques show problems with the exact assessment of the extent of BONJ lesions in the individual patients. Therefore, the relevance of MRI and CT for the preoperative assessment of the extent of BONJ lesions is limited. Future research should focus on the identification of imaging techniques that allow assessing the extent of BONJ lesions with a higher accuracy.

Reduction of X-ray induced DNA double-strand breaks in blood lymphocytes during coronary CT angiography using high-pitch spiral data acquisition with prospective ECG-triggering.

OBJECTIVES: Purpose of this study was to compare the effect of high-pitch spiral data acquisition with prospective electrocardiography (ECG)-triggering on the x-ray induced DNA damages to blood lymphocytes with commonly used low-pitch spiral scans. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty four patients underwent coronary computed tomography angiography either using high-pitch spiral data acquisition (n = 15; dual-source computed tomography (CT) scanner, 38.4 mm collimation, 100-120 kV, 320-456 mAs/rotation, pitch value 3.2-3.4) or using a low-pitch protocol (n = 19; dual-source CT scanner, 19.2 mm collimation, 120 kV, 330-438 mAs/rotation, pitch 0.2-0.39, ECG-based tube current modulation). Blood samples were obtained before and 30 minutes after CT. Lymphocytes were isolated, stained against the phosphorylated histone variant gammaH2AX, and DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) were visualized using fluorescence microscopy. Radiation dose to the blood was estimated by relating in vivo DSB levels to values of in vitro irradiated blood samples (50 mGy). Dose length product was registered as provided by the patient protocol. RESULTS: Total dose length product ranged from 101 to 237 (median 112) mGy cm in high-pitch and from 524 to 1283 (median 1025) mGy cm in low-pitch scans (P < 0.0001). The median CT induced DSB level 30 minutes after exposure was significantly lower after high-pitch (0.04 DSBs/cell, range 0.02-0.10 DSBs/cell) compared with low-pitch scans (0.39 DSBs/cell, 0.22-0.71 DSBs/cell, P < 0.0001). Both DSB levels and radiation dose to the blood showed a significant correlation to the dose length product (r = 0.82, P < 0.0001). The radiation dose to the blood was significantly reduced in the high-pitch (median 3.1, range 2.0-8.1 mGy) compared with the low-pitch group (median 26.9; range 14.2-44.9 mGy, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Prospectively ECG-triggered high-pitch spiral data acquisition can considerably reduce the radiation dose to the blood in coronary CT angiography as compared with low pitch protocols.

Ultra-fast carotid CT-angiography: low versus standard volume contrast material protocol for a 128-slice CT-system.

OBJECTIVES: Noninvasive imaging is increasingly accepted for the evaluation of atherosclerotic disease of the carotid arteries. We sought to evaluate the feasibility of a low-contrast media volume protocol for carotid computed tomography angiography (CTA) using a 128-slice-spiral-computed tomography scanner with a gantry rotation time of 300 milliseconds. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Thirty consecutive patients underwent CTA for the evaluation of the carotid vessels, with a 128-section scanner. Fifteen patients were examined with a standard volume contrast injection protocol (group A): 80 mL of contrast material (CM) were injected at 5 mL/s using the test bolus method to assess individual transit time. Another 15 patients were examined with a low-volume contrast media protocol (group B): 30 mL CM were injected at 4 mL/s using bolus tracking to trigger the CTA acquisition. In both groups, contrast administration was followed by a saline flush. Image quality and segmental vascular enhancement as well as the presence and degree of arterial stenosis were independently evaluated by 2 radiologists. Venous enhancement and streak artifacts at the thoracic inlet because of highly concentrated CM in the subclavian veins were evaluated in both groups. Kappa statistic and Pearson correlation coefficient were used to quantify interobserver variability. Qualitative data were compared using the Wilcoxon signed rank test and student t test was used to investigate differences in segmental vessel attenuation. RESULTS: All studies were of diagnostic quality in both groups. Interobserver agreement was high (kappa = 0.82, group A; kappa = 0.78, group B). Attenuation measurement showed excellent interobserver correlation in both groups (r > 0.9). Mean enhancement values were slightly higher in group A, but without statistical significance when averaged for all segments (P = 0.06). Streak artifacts impaired evaluation of 13 adjacent arterial segments in 8 patients at the level of the thoracic inlet in group A. In group B, only 1 segment was rated insufficient by both radiologists. Venous enhancement was significantly lower in group B (P = 0.04). The low-contrast protocol proved to be the more robust method with constant high arterial enhancement, less streak artifacts at the thoracic inlet, and less venous overlay. CONCLUSION: Using the latest CT technology, optimal depiction of the craniocervical arteries can be archived with a low-volume (30 mL) CM protocol.