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3-D volume rendering maxillofacial analysis of angular measurements by multislice CT Patricia M. L. Lopes, DDS, PhD,a Carla R. Moreira, DDS, MS,b Andréia Perrella, DDS, MS,c José L. Antunes, PhD,d and Marcelo G. P. Cavalcanti, DDS, PhD,e João Pessoa, Brazil, Bauru, Brazil, and São Paulo, Brazil CENTRO UNIVERSITÁRIO DE JOÃO PESSOA AND UNIVERSITY OF SÃO PAULO Objective. This study was designed to determine the precision and accuracy of angular measurements using three- dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT) volume rendering by computer systems. Study design. The study population consisted of 28 dried skulls that were scanned with a 64-row multislice CT, and 3D-CT images were generated. Angular measurements, (n � 6) based upon conventional craniometric anatomical landmarks (n � 9), were identified independently in 3D-CT images by 2 radiologists, twice each, and were then performed by 3D-CT imaging. Subsequently, physical measurements were made by a third examiner using a Beyond Crysta-C9168 series 900 device. Results. The results demonstrated no statistically significant difference between interexaminer and intraexaminer analysis. The mean difference between the physical and 3-D–based angular measurements was �1.18% and �0.89%, respectively, for both examiners, demonstrating high accuracy. Conclusion. Maxillofacial analysis of angular measurements using 3D-CT volume rendering by 64-row multislice CT is established and can be used for orthodontic and dentofacial orthopedic applications. (Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 2008;105:224-30) With the improvement of three-dimensional (3-D) im- aging technology, more accurate analysis of craniofa- cial complex can be achieved. Several computer 3-D methods have been developed to assist diagnosis, treat- ment planning, and predict outcomes.1-7 Despite evolution in the orthodontic field, evalua- tion of facial growth and dental relationship through cephalometrics is still a difficult frontier to cross. In this regard, 3-D analysis is essential for precisely assessing craniofacial morphology. For orthodontic purposes, software tools to facilitate accurate land- mark identification for quantitative measurements and the 3-D segmentation of regions of interest are This research was supported by Foundation of Research of São Paulo State (grants 2005/02157-8 to M. G. P. C.) and CAPES (PhD schol- arships to A. P., C. R. M., and P. M. L. L.). aProfessor, Department of Social Dentistry, College of Dentistry, Centro Universitário de João Pessoa, João Pessoa, Brazil. bStudent, Department of Stomatology, College of Dentistry, Univer- sity of São Paulo, Bauru, Brazil. cStudent, Department of Stomatology, College of Dentistry, Univer- sity of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. dProfessor, Department of Social and Preventive Dentistry, College of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. eProfessor, Department of Stomatology, College of Dentistry, Uni- versity of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. Received for publication Jun 12, 2007; returned for revision Aug 24, 2007; accepted for publication Aug 28, 2007. 1079-2104/$ - see front matter © 2008 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.tripleo.2007.08.036 224 progressing.3-5,8 Three-dimensional analysis is es- sential for precisely assessing craniofacial morphol- ogy. Several 3-D techniques have been developed to compensate for the drawbacks of two-dimensional measurements.3 The accuracy of selected craniometric linear mea- surements in a 3-D surface-shaded rendering tech- nique from a single-slice computed tomographic (CT) system has been reported.9 Recently, a three- dimensional computed tomographic (3D-CT) vol- ume-rendering protocol regarding several linear craniometric measurements from multislice com- puted tomography (MSCT) was evaluated for accu- racy and precision of the system.10 There has, how- ever, been no report regarding the validation of the angular measurements using specific computer sys- tem 3D-CT volume-rendering tools in association with the newer generations of multislice CT (MSCT). The purpose of this research is to demonstrate the precision and accuracy of angular measurements by using 3-D volume-rendering imaging using 64-row multislice CT for orthodontic applications. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study population consisted of 28 intact dry skulls (5 females and 23 males), from 20 years old to 56 years old, provided by the Department of Anat- omy, Federal University of Sao Paulo, of a medical OOOOE Volume 105, Number 2 Lopes et al. 225 school, following approval by the Institutional Re- view Committee/Human Specimens Committee (School of Dentistry, University of Sao Paulo). No history of bone disease was identified in the medical records. Before scanning, the mandibles were fixed to the skulls in central occlusion by using tape. The axial slice direction was assured by placing the skulls in the scan- ner so that the Frankfurt plane was perpendicular to the table and parallel to the sagittal plane. For imaging, each skull was placed into a plastic bucket with water to attenuate the radiation in a manner resembling that of soft tissue. The scanning position was kept close to the in vivo situation. The specimens were scanned in 64-row multislice CT (Aquilion, Toshiba-America Medical Systems Inc., Tustin, CA), beginning superior to the vertex and extend- ing inferiorly to below the mandible. High-resolution contiguous images were obtained with 0.5-mm thick axial slices with 0.3 mm of reconstruction interval per 0.4 seconds of time, 512 � 512 matrix, and 120 kVp and 300 mA, and a low frequency filter cutoff was used in the reconstruction algorithm (bone filter). The field of view was 24.0 cm. The original CT data were stored on a CD-ROM to allow full retrospective review of any data and image processing and transferred to an inde- pendent workstation with Vitrea version 3.5 software (Vital Images Inc., Plymouth, MN) to generate 3-D volumetric images for visualization, manipulation, and analysis. Multiplanar (coronal and sagittal) and 3-D recon- structed images using bone protocol were obtained simul- taneously based on the original axial slices. In axial and in the correspondent multiplanar reconstructed images, it was possible to estimate certain landmark locations, and these were automatically marked in the 3-D im- ages. Angular measurements of 3-D coordinates were ob- tained using several unique and conventional cranio- metric anatomic landmarks previously used by Caval- canti and Vannier9 and by Cavalcanti et al.10 (Table I). The computer graphics system allowed 3D-CT mea- surements from different views by using rotation and translation of the image rendered, and by using trans- parency tools (Fig. 1). The craniometric points (n � 9; Table I) were located and the correspondent angular measurements (n � 6; Fig. 1 and Table II) were deter- mined electronically by 2 examiners twice each, inde- pendently, by using computer software tools. For each skull, all points were located during 1 reading session, and then the correspondent angular measurements were obtained by computer tools. The time interval between the repeated measurements for intraexaminer reliability determination was 7 days for each examiner. The 28 skulls were scanned by the same MSCT scanner on the same day. All measurements were made in an average time of 20 minutes per skull. In total, 672 image measurements were made. The visualization, required adjustments, and analysis were possible by using preestablished criteria for bone tissue protocols. The parameters used were (1) the right side was used to locate lateral points, (2) frontal and lateral positions were standardized using program functions, and (3) the same head position was utilized to deter- mine the measurements in the 2 types of protocols examined.10 To obtain the physical data, the mandibles were positioned at the same occlusal relationship as they were during image acquisition, and the set of landmark measurements was performedonce by a third examiner. A Beyond Crysta-C9168 series 900 device (Mitutoyo Sul Americana Ltda, Suzano, SP, Brazil) was used for 3-D coordinates. This device was located at the Labo- ratory for Reference in Measures for Coordinates (Mi- tutoyo, Suzano, SP, Brazil). This equipment function is based on a Cartesian 3-D system with 3 reading scales, which allows the mapping of any point within the limits of the equipment. The device had an active point that is 0.3-mm thick, to be equal to the thickness interval of CT reconstruction. The data was imported to a personal com- puter with Windows XP (Microsoft Corporation, Red- mond, WA) operating system (Fig. 2, A, B). Geopak- Win Version 2.4 R.8 Edition 10 (Mitutoyo, Neuss, Germany) was used for making measurements. This software collects all information from the coordinates of each landmark and performs the correspondent cal- culations to generate the results (angular measure- ments). The device was calibration certified by Inmetro (National Institute of Metrology, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Table I. Craniometric anatomical points 1. A Alveolare, deepest point of the maxillary alveolar bone concavity 2. G Glabella, most anterior point of the skull in the sagittal plane 3. Me Menton, most inferior and anterior point of the mental region 4. N Nasion, medial point between the nasofrontal suture and the nasal origin in midsagittal plane 5. Co Condylion, most posterior and superior point of the mandibular condyle 6. ENA Anterior nasal spine, highest point on nasal spine 7. Go Gonion, most posterior and inferior point of the curve between the body and ascending ramus of the mandible 8. Pg Pogonion, most anterior point of the mental symphysis 9. B The deepest point of the mandibular alveolar concavity Brazil). The direct measurements of the dry skulls were n-alve OOOOE 226 Lopes et al. February 2008 considered as the gold standard for physical measure- ments. The validity of 3D-CT measurements was assessed in terms of their differences, both in degree and per- centages, to corresponding physical measurements. The precision of 3D-CT was assessed in terms of the in- traexaminer and interexaminer measurement, both in terms of angular degree and percentage. Both validity and precision analysis followed the criteria of Bland and Altman.11 This method is based on simple calcu- lation of the difference between 2 compared measure- ments, following the formulas below: ● for precision: intraexaminer difference (in degrees) � measure- ment 1 � measurement 2 intraexaminer difference (in percentage) � 100 � (measurement 1 � measurement 2)/measurement 1 interexaminer difference � examiner 1 � examiner 2 interexaminer difference (in percentage) � 100 � Fig. 1. Three-dimensional computed tomographic measureme B, Lateral view of glabella-anterior nasal spine-pogonion spine-menton (N.ANS.Me; 166.9°). D, Frontal view of nasio gonion-menton (Co.Go.Me; 126.7°). F, Frontal view of nasio Table II. Angular measurements 1. N.A.Pg 2. G.ENA.Pg 3. N.ENA.Me 4. N.Me.Go 5. Co.Go.Me 6. N.A.B (examiner 1 � examiner 2)/examiner 1 ● for validation: validation in degrees � examiner � gold standard validation (in percentage) � 100 � (examiner � gold standard)/gold standard Systematic errors of the intraexaminer and interex- aminer analysis were assessed by the Wilcoxon test and the Mann-Whitney U test, respectively. The compari- son between MSCT and physical measurements was made using a paired t test. Statistical analyses were made using the SPSS version 8.0 software (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL). A P value �.05 was accepted to indicate statistical significance. RESULTS Mean degree values for each measurement obtained by physical and 3D-CT methods are shown in Table III. The highest mean differences in degrees and percentage ranked (Table IV), are �0.03° and �0.07% (intraex- aminer error), and 0.55° and 0.29% (interexaminer error). For each measurement, the highest mean per- centage difference was 1.31% (nasion-alveolare-pogo- nion) for the interexaminer and 0.46% (nasion-menton- gonion) for the intraexaminer assessment (Table IV). The largest difference between the physical and 3-D– based angular measurements (Table V) was �3.16% (nasion-menton-gonion), and the lowest value was �0.10% (nasion-alveolare-point B). No statistically significant difference was observed for both the intraex- Lateral view of nasion-alveolare-pogonion (N.A.Pg; 174.5°). NS.Pg; 173.7°). C, Lateral view of nasion-anterior nasal ton-gonion (N.Me.Go; 69.9°). E, Lateral view of condylion- olare-point B (N.A.B; 171.7°). nts. A, (G.A n-men aminer (examiner 1, P � .111; examiner 2, P � .712) physic OOOOE Volume 105, Number 2 Lopes et al. 227 and the interexaminer (P � .567) assessment. A statis- tically significant difference was observed for the mea- surement nasion-menton-gonion, referring to the com- parison between CT and physical measurements for both examiners (examiner 1, P � .027; examiner 2, P � .029). Differences related to the other measurements were not statistically significant (P � .05). The mini- mum P values observed in this study (Table VI) ranked from .027 (nasion-menton-gonion) to .789 (glabella- anterior nasal spine-pogonion). DISCUSSION Several authors have studied CT imaging for analy- ses using craniometric points, establishing the precision and accuracy of this method by using different CT Fig. 2. A, The Beyond Crysta-C9168 device used to perform Table III. Mean degrees of each measurement in gold standard and in 3D-CT for both examiners Measurement Physical measurements,° 3D-CT Examiner 1,° Examiner 2,° N.A.Pg 167.1 167.2 165.1 G.ENA.Pg 167.9 167.5 167.6 Co.Go.Me 123.2 121.9 122.9 N.Me.Go 72.9 70.6 70.6 N.A.B 165.8 165.6 163.5 N.ENA.Me 160.6 159.2 158.9 3D-CT, three-dimensional computed tomography. technology with 3-D reconstructed images.9,10,12-14 Furthermore, it was established that CT generations, data acquisition, and parameters such as slice thickness and interval of the reconstruction can determine a high 3-D imaging resolution,15,16 which corroborate to qual- itative patterns of our 3-D images, because the source was 64-row multislice CT using 0.3-mm intervals of reconstruction. Our results highlight favorable indica- tions of precision and accuracy for the 3-D volume- rendering angular measurements from 64-row MSCT. Regarding linear measurements, our previous study in MSCT10 found 0.83% and 1.78% of error for bone and soft tissue measurements, respectively, when com- pared with the physical measurements. These results demonstrated high accuracy of both 3D-CT protocols. Following Swennen et al.,2 a reconstruction interval of 0.75 mm is acceptable for 3-D cephalometry. Mul- tislice computed tomography 3-D cephalometry was considered highly accurate and reliable. Intraexaminer measurement errors were low: 0.88, 0.76, and 0.84 mm for horizontal, vertical, and transverse orthogonal mea- surements, respectively. Interexaminer measurement error was also low: 0.78, 0.86, and 1.26 mm for hori- zontal, vertical, and transverse orthogonal measure- ments, respectively. Squared correlation coefficients showed high intraexaminer and interexaminer reliabil- ity.2 Kusnoto et al.4 assessed the accuracy of angular measurements in 3-D projections and found an average absolute error of 3.5°. They observed that errors in al measurements in a dried skull. B, Nasion point landmark. linear measurements were lower than those of the an- 1.4 OOOOE 228 Lopes et al. February 2008 gular measurements. In our research, using newest CT multislice technology, there was high precision and accuracy of angular measurements—we found �1.18% of difference for accuracy and 0.29% of difference for intraexaminer and interexaminer analyses. Cavalcanti et al.,10 Ward and Jamison,12 and Jamison and Ward13 considered small dimensional measure- ments of up to 6 cm to be less reliable than larger dimensional measures. Our results demonstrated agree- Table IV. Intraexaminers and interexaminers mean dePrecision intraexaminer 1 P Degree % De Mean SD Mean SD Mean N.A.Pg 0.50 0.68 0.30 0.41 �0.56 G.ENA.Pg �0.04 0.95 �0.03 0.56 �0.18 Co.Go.Me �0.47 0.71 �0.39 0.58 �0.33 N.Me.Go �0.30 0.56 �0.43 0.80 0.31 N.A.B 0.62 1.95 0.37 1.17 0.20 N.ENA.Me �0.39 0.65 �0.24 0.41 0.40 Total �0.01 1.10 �0.07 0.76 �0.03 Table V. Mean degree and percentage differences of c dent physical measurements Validation examiner 1 Degree % Mean SD Mean N.A.Pg 0.17 1.18 0.11 G.ENA.Pg �0.42 1.17 �0.26 Co.Go.Me �1.25 1.91 �1.00 N.Me.Go �2.34 1.58 �3.16 N.A.B �0.16 1.68 �0.10 N.ENA.Me �1.49 1.45 �0.92 Total �0.91 1.73 �0.89 3D-CT, three-dimensional computed tomography. Table VI. Minimum P values for comparison between 3D-CT and physical measurements Measurements P values N.A.Pg .254 G.ENA.Pg .789 Co.Go.Me .343 N.Me.Go .027* N.A.B .173 N.ENA.Me .336 3D-CT, three-dimensional computed tomography. *Statistically significant. †Two examiners performing 2 examinations each. P � .05 for significance. ment with these earlier reports, because the smallest angular measurements of the study (Table III: nasion- menton-gonion, mean 70.6°) showed the greatest dif- ferences in the validation analysis, which represents the lowest accuracy value (Table V). Cephalometric analysis with 3D-CT was used for facial asymmetry by Maeda et al.17 and Katsumata et al.18 These authors considered 3D-CT as an appli- cable method that can substitute conventional tech- niques. Park et al.3 proposed a new cephalometric analysis with 3D-CT and showed the method used for a patient with facial asymmetry. The CT images were made with a single slice CT. The thickness of the axial images was 3 mm, the table speed was 6 mm per second, and the 3-D image was reconstructed with a 2-mm slice thickness. For this protocol, no statistically significant differences were found. All landmarks were reproducible, and there was no sig- nificant intraexaminer error between the 2 sessions (P � .01). There are some limitations when using 3D-CT as a diagnostic tool, as they found relatively large errors in the vertical position (z-coordinate) compared with the anteroposterior (y-coordinate) and transverse (x-coordinate) positions. However, these errors can be decreased if thin slices are used nd percentual differences for each measurement intraexaminer 2 Precision interexaminer % Degree % Mean SD Mean SD Mean SD 7 �0.35 0.85 2.17 2.10 1.31 1.28 6 �0.12 0.70 �0.15 1.23 �0.10 0.73 0 �0.27 1.15 �0.97 1.65 �0.82 1.39 9 0.46 1.79 �0.04 1.29 �0.07 1.86 9 0.12 0.98 2.06 2.55 1.26 1.57 8 0.24 1.01 0.21 1.65 0.14 1.05 3 0.01 1.15 0.55 2.13 0.29 1.55 ison of all measurements in 3D�CT to the correspon- Validation examiner 2 Degree % Mean SD Mean SD 0 �2.00 2.26 �1.21 1.36 1 �0.27 1.22 �0.16 0.72 4 �0.27 2.63 �0.19 2.14 6 �2.30 1.99 �3.09 2.68 2 �2.21 2.76 �1.36 1.71 9 �1.70 1.83 �1.07 1.16 5 �1.46 2.31 �1.18 1.98 gree a recision gree SD 1.3 1.1 1.4 1.2 1.5 1.5 ompar SD 0.7 0.7 1.5 2.0 1.0 0.8 1.6 during the reconstruction.3 In comparison, our re- OOOOE Volume 105, Number 2 Lopes et al. 229 search used a CT multislice with 0.5-mm axial slice thicknesses and 0.3 mm for interval of reconstruc- tion, which allowed higher 3-D resolution. Conse- quently, we found high precision and accuracy of angular measurements, because the 3-D images were obtained from volume-rendering technique software. Newer 64-row MSCTs yield several technological improvements over earlier systems, permitting greater fidelity in anatomical structure. A volumetric image set with isotropic properties can be obtained in multiple acquisitions, with a 0.5-mm slice width. Multislice computed tomography allows extended anatomic cov- erage with thin slices, in a very short time. The near future will include 256-row MSCT19 for craniofacial applications. This technology will allow dramatic shortening of the acquisition time. The substitution of CT for cephalometric skull radi- ography can become practical when high-quality 3-D reconstructions of the skull can be obtained with suit- able geometric accuracy, typically imprinted on hard- copy in a life-size film format. However, the radiation dose and the cost effectiveness are still the particular points that limit this specific application, turning this technique mainly toward surgical purposes. All modern CT scanners possess some form of 3-D reconstruction imaging capability, and manufacturers now offer a wide range of products.20,21 The computer graphics methods that serve as the basis for 3-D reconstruction imaging have evolved rapidly, and dramatic improve- ments in image quality, efficiency, versatility, ease of use, and reduction in the cost of systems have been realized.20,21 These intrinsically quantitative 3-D imag- ing methods have enabled the development of objective measurement protocols for the study of skull form and volume change. It is important to point out that mea- surements using 3-D technology can be widely applied in many areas, especially involving surgical procedure, forensics, and radiotherapy. Regarding our research, 3D-CT images were used to develop measurements that were then employed in pro- cedures to aid in the displacement or reorientation of the facial skeletal components, which were freed from their normal attachments through orthodontic treatment planning. The acceptance of these systems for orth- odontic treatment and the dentofacial orthopedic field is widespread. These imaging techniques are playing an important role in the orthodontic field, representing cutting-edge technology and improving diagnostic and clinical treatment. CONCLUSIONS Angular measurements obtained from 64-row MSCT 3-D reconstructions are precise and accurate. The 3-D volume-rendering technique can distinguish craniofa- cial anatomy accurately in bone tissue protocols, add- ing important sources for maxillofacial analyses and applications. We thank University Center of João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil, for software upgrade support. REFERENCES 1. Lagravere MO, Hansen L, Harzer W, Majord PW. 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Craniofacial computed tomography scanning: technology, applications and future trends. Orthod Craniofac Res 2003;6 Suppl 1:23-30. Reprint requests: Marcelo G. P. Cavalcanti, DDS, PhD Department of Radiology University of São Paulo, College of Dentistry Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 2227 CEP 05508-900 São Paulo, SP, Brazil mgpcaval@usp.br http://www.madeforlife.toshiba.com/ct256/TMS082_CT_WP_256.pdf http://www.madeforlife.toshiba.com/ct256/TMS082_CT_WP_256.pdf mail to:mgpcaval@usp.br 3-D volume rendering maxillofacial analysis of angular measurements by multislice CT MATERIAL AND METHODS RESULTS DISCUSSION CONCLUSIONS ACKNOWLEDGMENT REFERENCES