Reliability of Gray Scale Values of Cone Beam Computed Tomography in Diagonsis of Maxillofacial Cysts and Tumors

Abstract

Introduction: Advanced imaging methods like digital radiography, DEXA, CT, and CBCT have improved orofacial pathology diagnosis. CT remains the bone assessment gold standard, but CBCT offers similar reliability with lower radiation and cost, serving as a non-invasive alternative to biopsy for differentiating cysts and tumors by bone resorption and gray value patterns.

Objective: To assess maxillofacial cysts and tumors by analysing CBCT gray values, compare gray scales between cysts and tumors, and correlate findings with histopathological diagnosis.

Methods: A total of 101 maxillofacial lesions (65 cysts, 36 odontogenic tumors) were evaluated. Each lesion was visualized in its maximum dimension, and CBCT-derived gray scale values were recorded to qualitatively estimate radiological bone mineral density. These values were compared with corresponding histopathological findings to evaluate diagnostic accuracy.

Results: Among 101 CBCT scans, gray scale values of cysts and tumors were recorded and correlated with histopathological diagnoses. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software (version 22), revealing clear differences in gray values between cysts and tumors.

Conclusion: The study demonstrated that CBCT-derived gray scale values significantly aid in differentiating cysts from tumors. Correlation with histopathology confirmed gray scale measurement as a valuable diagnostic parameter. CBCT can thus serve as a reliable, non-invasive tool in identifying and characterizing maxillofacial cystic and tumorous lesions.