Performance comparison between three intraoral image receptors of different technology at a variety of tube potential, tube current and exposure time settings using a stepwedge phantom

Purpose: To comparatively evaluate the per-formance of three intraoral image receptors of different technology when exposed to different X-ray beam spectra, dose and dose rate levels using a stepwedge phantom. Materials and methods: The intraoral radiographic receptors evaluated were: the Kodak Insight F speed class film, the Kodak RVG 6000, and the Duerr Vis-tascan Combi PSP system. A dental quality control phantom made of Plexiglas, containing an aluminium stepwedge with 12 steps and 7 holes drilled in each step was radiographed using a dental X-ray unit offering a wide range of tube potential, tube current and exposure time settings. The visibility of the holes in the images produced with each one of the three receptors was assessed by three independent observers. For each image the total image quality score (TS) was derived from the summation of the number of visible holes in each step. The numbers of perceptible holes in each experimental condition (TSs) were statistically analyzed through use of analysis of variance. Intraobserver and interobserver agree-ment was also measured. Results: Vistascan ex-hibited the most extended useful exposure range, followed by RVG 6000 and Insight. RVG 6000 exhibited the largest TS values in all tube potential settings except 70 kV where the Vistascan performed better. Insight performed better than Vistascan only at 60 and 63 kV. Vistascan performed better at 66 and 70 kV, Insight at 60 and 66 kV, whereas RVG performed equally well at all tube potential settings, except than at 52 and 70 kV. For the Insight the largest TS values were obtained with the smallest ESAK values whereas with the Vistascan the largest TS were obtained with ESAK values that where the largest observed. Conclusions: The performance of all receptors tested was greatly dependent on the exposure parameters and mainly on the kV settings. Overall, the RVG 6000 offered the best image quality at doses somewhere in between those required by the Insight and the Vistascan.

Cleidocranial dysplasia with a rare mutation:Study of a family with review of literature

Introduction: The present study was aimed at advancing the understanding of the pathogenesis of cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD) by presenting a case study based on history, physical examination, typical radiological features, and molecular analysis and a review of the literature. Methods: This study began with a 23-year-old boy (proband) who was referred to the department of oral and maxillofacial radiology with chief complaint of the upper-left first molar tooth and routine dental examination. While evaluating the panoramic radiograph, the patient had approximately 57 teeth in his both of the jaws. Clinical, radiographical and molecular features of the proband, two siblings and their parents were examined and then, DNA analysis was performed. Results: Overall, we present 3 CCD patients with a mutation in the VWRPY motif. The deletion of c. 1754_1757 delTTTG (NM_001024630.2) is determined and it leads to a frame shift mutation and stop codon, p. V585Gfs56X. Conclusions: The present study emphasized the importance of further clinical and molecular investigation when even a single case of CCD is identified within a family. This is the first study performed in Turkey about a family with a mutation in the VWRPY motif. Genotype-phenotype association studies in individuals with CCD are necessary to provide important insights into molecular mechanisms associated with this disease.