Sphericity of Periapical Lesion and Its Relation to the Novel CBCT Periapical Volume Index.

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to assess the sphericity of periapical lesions and its relation to the cone-beam computed tomography periapical volume index (CBCTPAVI).

METHODS

A total of 261 periapical lesions were assessed using cone-beam computed tomography images from InteleViewer. Three-dimensional analysis of the lesions was conducted using analytical imaging software Mimics Research. Lesion volume and surface area measurements were determined using the semiautomatic segmentation technique, and these measurements were then used to determine lesion sphericity and CBCTPAVI score. One-way analysis of variance with post hoc Tukey test was used to assess for differences in sphericity among CBCTPAVI groups.

RESULTS

The mean sphericity of periapical lesions was 62%. Periapical lesions with larger CBCTPAVI scores were significantly less spherical than lesions with smaller CBCTPAVI scores.

CONCLUSIONS

Periapical lesions of endodontic origin are mostly semi-spherical in their spread, and as CBCTPAVI score increases, sphericity decreases, indicating that larger lesions expand less uniformly compared with smaller lesions. Clinicians should be aware that lesions of increased volume have less sphericity, and are thus elongated or stretched in 1 or more anatomic plane. This information will assist clinicians in planning and performing periapical surgery and may aid in differential diagnosis of radiolucent jaw lesions.