Evaluation of CBCT in sialolithiasis

Objective:

This work examines the Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) regarding its potential in diagnosing sialolithiasis compared with sonography.

Patients and Methods:

The data of 46 patients were retrospectively analyzed whose head salivary gland were examined during diagnosis with sonography, as well as a CBCT image taken of the affected salivary gland.

Results:

In 28 cases, sialolithiasis was diagnosed with sonography and CBCT.

In 26 of the 28 cases with sialolithiasis the submandibular gland was affected, in 2 cases (7%) the parotid gland was affected. In 19 cases there was a single concretion, in 8 cases with two concretions, and there was one case with four concretions. 13 of 39 concretions were found intraglandular (33%), 9 concretions (23%) in the Hilus region, while 16 concretions (41%) were in the distal Warthon's duct.

CBCT had a sensitivity of 96% (27/28), a specificity of 100% (16/16), as well as a positive predictive value of 100% (26/26), and a negative predictive value of 94% (17/18).

Sonography had a sensitivity of 93% (26/28), a specificity of 93% (15/16), as well as a positive predictive value of 96% (26/27), and a negative predictive value of 88% (15/17).

Discussion:

The results demonstrate that CBCT has significant capability in finding or ruling out salivary stones. Regarding sensitivity, specificity, as well as a positive or negative predictive value, CBCT is superior to sonography. This coincides with the results of the few previous studies which looked into this issue.

(References are with the authors)

Publication History

Publication Date:
18 April 2018 (online)