OVERVIEW

Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) for Extremity Imaging Applications is organized by eRADIMAGING.

Release Date: 9/3/2019
Expiration Date: 10/1/2022

Course Description:
Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) has evolved into the utilization of imaging to anatomic regions that were not typically associated with computed tomography (CT) in the past (eg, pre-surgery, dental and otolaryngology [ear-nose-throat; ENT], angiography suites, radiotherapy treatment vaults, and current evolution to musculoskeletal [MSK) imaging). CBCT has been widely used for dental, otolaryngology, and oral-maxillofacial medical imaging procedures for over 2 decades. The current clinical practice in diagnostic imaging of MSK extremity imaging employs a combination of digital radiography (DR), CT, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for diagnosis, management, and assessment of injury or pathology response to treatment strategies. Equipment that is composed of a dedicated extremity CBCT system for MSK imaging has recently been developed to provide new capabilities in weight-bearing imaging, combined with planar and volumetric imaging and improved workflow. MSK extremity imaging presents a potentially valuable extension of such CBCT platforms, motivated by the need to image weight-bearing extremities, potentially improving image quality, spatial resolution, and reduced radiation dose, enhancing workflow, and simplifying site preparation considerations, as well as reducing cost compared with conventional CT. The purpose of this article is to describe CBCT of the extremity joints using a novel portable or stationary solution. The term CBCT will be used throughout to refer to dedicated units for extremity orthopedic-musculoskeletal imaging applications.

Abstract:
Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) has evolved into the utilization of imaging to anatomic regions that were not typically associated with computed tomography (CT) in the past (eg, pre-surgery, dental and otolaryngology [ear-nose-throat; ENT], angiography suites, radiotherapy treatment vaults, and current evolution to musculoskeletal [MSK) imaging). CBCT has been widely used for dental, otolaryngology, and oral-maxillofacial medical imaging procedures for over 2 decades. The current clinical practice in diagnostic imaging of MSK extremity imaging employs a combination of digital radiography (DR), CT, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for diagnosis, management, and assessment of injury or pathology response to treatment strategies. Equipment that is composed of a dedicated extremity CBCT system for MSK imaging has recently been developed to provide new capabilities in weight-bearing imaging, combined with planar and volumetric imaging and improved workflow. MSK extremity imaging presents a potentially valuable extension of such CBCT platforms, motivated by the need to image weight-bearing extremities, potentially improving image quality, spatial resolution, and reduced radiation dose, enhancing workflow, and simplifying site preparation considerations, as well as reducing cost compared with conventional CT. The purpose of this article is to describe CBCT of the extremity joints using a novel portable or stationary solution. The term CBCT will be used throughout to refer to dedicated units for extremity orthopedic-musculoskeletal imaging applications.

Learning Objectives:
After reading this article, the participant should be able to:
• Describe the general operating principles, components, and configuration of an extremity CBCT system, and its advantages/drawbacks compared with conventional CT.
• Define the present roles extremity CBCT and CBCT arthrography play in musculoskeletal imaging.
• Describe the various image reconstruction techniques used in extremity CBCT, and the role of metal artifact reduction and deletion software in image production.
• Describe radiation dose metrics and safety practices used in extremity CBCT.