Assessment of Periapical Lesions Using Digital Radiography, Ultrasound and Color Doppler Imaging (Descriptive Study)

Ultrasound and color Doppler imaging، along with radiography have been introduced for diagnosing periapical lesions. This study aimed to assess the data obtained from digital radiography، ultrasound and color Doppler imaging on periapical lesions. In this descriptive cross-sectional study، patients with periapical lesions associated with anterior maxillary or mandibular teeth who were referred to endodontics department of Tehran Azad dental school were assessed. Periapical radiographs were obtained and dimensions and borders of the lesions were recorded. Ultrasound and color Doppler examinations were then performed & the images were assessed for the size، content، echogenicity and vascular supply. Findings were compared and statistically analyzed by McNemar، paired t test، Wilcoxon signed ranks test and Spearman correlation. Radiography in 20 and ultrasound in 15 patients could measure the lesions. There were inconsistency for showing borders between the two techniques (P<0. 508). There were inconsistency between the two methods in mesiodistal and suprainferior dimensional measurements (P=0. 165 and P=0. 228 respectively). In radiography، the dimensions were greater than in ultrasound and the differences were significant (P=0. 041، P=0. 005). Color Doppler and ultrasound could describe the lesions. Lesions are measured smaller in ultrasound than in radiography and in many cases ultrasound is not able to display the lesion. Color Doppler and ultrasound can be used as assisting tools for diagnosing the nature of the lesions.