Optimization and novel application of Cone Beam CT in the treatment of patients with orofacial clefts
Kesztyűs Artúr József
Clinical Medicine
Dr. Reusz György
Semmelweis Egyetem I. sz. Gyermekgyógyászati Klinika Koós Aurél terem
2024-12-18 09:00:00
Prevention of Chronic Diseases in Childhood
Dr. Szabó Attila
Dr. Nagy Krisztián
Dr. Lendvai Dávid
Dr. Gurdán Zsuzsanna
Dr. Hermann Péter Miklós
Dr. Seres László
Dr. Bogdán Sándor
Patients with orofacial clefts present with complex hard and soft tissue deficiencies. Incomplete development can result in esthetic and functional problems, such as the presence of oronasal fistula, collapsed maxillary dimensions, facial asymmetry, malocclusion, and speech disorders.
The management of the defect is carried out in a team approach, involving oral surgeons, orthodontists, plastic surgeons, and speech therapists. In general patients undergo multiple interventions, from already early childhood on.
Clinical imaging has utmost importance in the diagnostic and pre-operative workflow, thus radiological examinations are carried out more often in cleft patients compared to the non-cleft patient population. This results in an increased radiological exposure and associated risk for patients with cleft, especially as most patients are children.
Recently Cone Beam CT imaging has become the modality of choice for the evaluation of cleft patients. It provides three-dimensional images of bony structures with sufficient image quality and relatively low radiation dose. Nevertheless radiation safety remains a pressing issue.
The aim of the projects included in this thesis was to investigate Cone Beam CT imaging and provide knowledge and tools for further research on imaging optimization related to cleft care.
Findings of our study provided pediatric maxillary dimensions, which data can be applied in further Field of View optimization studies.
With the development of radiological phantoms with clefts we created a tool for testing different CBCT imaging protocols and achieve optimization for specific indications.
Additionally, the application of CBCT in the surgical planning of alveolar bone grafts and in the diagnosis of VPI represent further justification of this imaging modality.
