Assessment of computerized tomography density patterns of ameloblastomas and keratocystic odontogenic tumors

Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod. 2009 Oct;108(4):604-8. doi: 10.1016/j.tripleo.2009.03.008. Epub 2009 May 22.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate computerized tomography (CT) density patterns of solid ameloblastomas (SA), unicystic ameloblastomas (UA), and sporadic and multiple keratocystic odontogenic tumors (SK and MK, respectively). A region of interest (ROI) was delimited corresponding to almost the entire lesional area on each axial slice of 25 CT exams. For each ROI, CT values (HU(ROI)) and heterogeneity (HTG(ROI)) were recorded and compared among lesion groups as well as among central and peripheral slices of the same lesion. The average HU(ROI) were: SA 35.9 +/- 12.6; UA 31.0 +/- 6.0; SK 28.4 +/- 10.5; and MK 30.5 +/- 20.6. SK and MK had the lowest CT values and highest heterogeneity. SA and UA did not show statistical difference for HU(ROI). However, SA had greater HTG(ROI) values. SA presented a different pattern when the central slices were compared with the peripheral slices. HU(ROI) was higher, whereas HTG(ROI) was lower, among the central slices of SA.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Absorptiometry, Photon / methods
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Ameloblastoma / classification
  • Ameloblastoma / diagnostic imaging*
  • Child
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / methods
  • Jaw Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Odontogenic Tumors / classification
  • Odontogenic Tumors / diagnostic imaging*
  • Radiographic Image Enhancement / methods
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Tomography, Spiral Computed / methods
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods*
  • Young Adult