Comparison of CBCT radiation doses with conventional radiographs in TMJ imaging using Monte Carlo simulations

• Published in: Radiation and environmental biophysics 2024-03, Vol.63 (1), p.39-45
• Main Authors: Deniz, Yeşim, Eren, Hakan, Sessiz, Rüya, Coşan Ata, Gamze
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Arthritis; Biological and Medical Physics; Biophysics; Computed tomography; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography; Ecosystems; Effects of Radiation/Radiation Protection; Environmental Physics; Jaw; Mathematical analysis; Medical imaging; Monitoring/Environmental Analysis; Monte Carlo Method; Monte Carlo simulation; Mouth; Phantoms, Imaging; Physics; Physics and Astronomy; Radiation; Radiation Dosage; Radiographs; Radiography; Salivary gland; Salivary glands; Scanning; Spiral Cone-Beam Computed Tomography; System effectiveness; Temporomandibular joint; Temporomandibular Joint - diagnostic imaging; Temporomandibular joint disorders; Tomography
• ISSN: 0301-634X; 1432-2099; 1432-2099
• DOI: 10.1007/s00411-023-01057-w

Three-dimensional imaging methods are widely used for evaluation of bony changes of temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Besides, lateral and posterio-anterior TMJ projections in both closed- and open-jaw positions for each temporomandibular joint are used as two-dimensional diagnostic tools. The purpose of the present study was to compare effective and mean organ absorbed doses of plain radiography techniques with those of different modalities of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scanning of an adult’s temporomandibular joint. PCXMC 2.0 software was used to calculate mean organ and effective doses. A NewTom CBCT device (Newtom 5G XL; QR systems; Verona, Italy) was simulated at 360° rotation using a 6 × 6 cm 2 FOV in standard and high-resolution modes. Lateral and posterio-anterior TMJ plain projections were simulated according to recommendations of the manufacturer of the Planmeca ProMax ® 2D S3 device. Doses for both projections were simulated with Monte Carlo methods and the International Commission on radiological protection adult reference computational phantoms. The highest mean organ absorbed doses occurred in bone surfaces, salivary glands, and skull for posterio-anterior TMJ and lateral TMJ, and for CBCT scanning in all examinations. The effective doses of posterio-anterior and lateral TMJ plain radiographs were found to be higher than those of the Standard Mode-Eco Scan CBCT. Therefore, the lowest effective dose was calculated in Standard Mode-Eco Scan CBCT. It is concluded that NewTom 5G XL Standard Mode-Eco Scan CBCT can be used instead of plain radiographs (lateral and posterio-anterior TMJ) in temporomandibular joint imaging as it allows visualizing the three-dimensional structure of the temporomandibular joint as an advantage.