engleski

Errors in digitizing and processing of cephalograms

Aim: To measure "real" amount of error in everyday cephalometrics, to distinct between values that are more erroneuos from those that are not. Additionaly, we want to compare data between digital vs classical x-ray and different methods of processing. Materials and Methods: In this study we have used 30 classic (film-based) and 30 digital x- ray cephalograms. Data has been selected randomly among patients treated in Department of Orthodontics, Dental Clinic, Clinical Hospital Centrae Zagreb in 2009. We have used Croatian analysis Zagreb 82 MOD (combined values from most used international analyses like Steiner, Downs and Bjork). All data will be processed by one analyzer in five not consecutive repetitions and five independent analyzers without repetitions. Methods are selected to detect what is critical point in analyzing. Error is measured as variability among examiners and repeated measurements in case of one examiner. For computer processing we have used Dolphin 10.5 (Dolphin Imaging). Results: Higher levels than expected of error have been founded for all measured or calculated values. Digital x-rays demonstrated signifficantly lower values variability in repetitions than classic x-ray images. Highest variability has been calculated (ratio) in interincisal angle (15.31° interexaminer, 8.77° intraexaminer), and lowest variability in distance from lower incisive tip to line N-B (2.52° interexaminer, 2.02°intraexaminer). Manual measuring showed no signifficant difference for most of variables to computerized measuring. Conclusion: Digital x-rays cause signifficant lower variability in repeated measuring than film-based. Because there is no difference between manual and computer measuring, error is made in points and anatomical structures recongizing by analizer. Highest error was detected in interincisal angle, and lowest in distance from lower incisor tip from line N-B. Cephalometry is reliable diagnostic method, but it cannot be the only one. Error has to be counted on.

cephalometrics; method error

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