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Biomedical subjects

L M Brocklebank

Publications and source records attributed to L M Brocklebank.

9 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

A comparison of two radiographic assessment protocols for patients with periodontal disease.

OBJECTIVE: Radiographic assessment of patients with generalised severe periodontitis may be undertaken with a panoramic view and supplementary periapicals. The purpose of this study was to estimate the effective radiation dose from this form of radiographic assessment, and to compare it with an estimate of the dose from a series of periapicals of all the affected teeth. DESIGN: Cross-sectional observational study. SETTING: Departments of Periodontology and Radiology, Glasgow Dental Hospital and School. METHOD: Fifty consecutive patients [were recruited] with sufficiently widespread advanced periodontitis to require at least seven periapical radiographs. [Following new local guidelines, a panoramic view was taken.] The adequacy of the image of every affected tooth and the number of supplementary periapicals required was determined by a panel of four examiners who also calculated the number of periapicals which would have been taken if panoramic radiography had not been available. An effective dose of 0.001 mSv for one periapical and 0.007 mSv for a panoramic view was assumed. RESULTS: The panoramic-plus-periapicals approach delivered an estimated additional effective dose to 86% of patients, in the order of 0.001-0.007 mSv. CONCLUSIONS: Within the parameters of this investigation, the anticipated effective radiation dose from a series of periapical radiographs of all selected teeth would, for the great majority of patients, have been less than the dose from a panoramic-plus-periapicals approach.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Assessment of zygomatico-orbital complex fractures using ultrasonography.

Twenty-two patients were referred to the maxillofacial surgical unit for assessment and management of suspected fractures of the zygomatico-orbital complex. In each case, both routine plain radiographic and ultrasound examinations were made. The aim of the study was to investigate the sensitivity and reliability of ultrasound to detect such fractures. Imaging with ultrasound was carried out at five areas: the infraorbital margin; lateral wall of the maxillary sinus; zygomatic arch; frontozygomatic process; and orbital floor. Both radiographic and ultrasound findings were correlated with the findings at operation. An overall agreement of 85% between radiographs and ultrasound scans was found. Ultrasound imaging was most reliable at the lateral wall of the maxillary sinus, where the sensitivity was 94% and specificity 100%. The positive predictive value at this area was 100% compared with radiographic findings. We conclude that ultrasound is a useful tool in imaging facial trauma as an initial investigation, and can help to reduce the total number of radiographs required for the diagnosis of fractures of the zygomatico-orbital complex.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1999

An audit of occipitomental radiographs.

OBJECTIVES: To audit the justification for and image quality of occipitomental (OM) radiographs obtained at a dental teaching hospital. METHODS: One hundred OM radiographs taken at Glasgow Dental Hospital and their associated request forms were analysed by two examiners retrospectively. Information recorded from the request form included the age and gender of the patient, requesting department, grade of requesting clinician, reason for the request and exposure factors. The radiographs were assessed for radiographic density, patient positioning, presence of abnormality and whether the maxillary sinuses were normal or not. It was then decided by reference to the clinical records if there had been an indication for taking the radiograph. RESULTS: The majority of the requests were from junior staff, most frequently for pain or sinusitis. Almost all were from the Departments of Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine or Dental Accident and Emergency (A&E). The technical quality of the radiographs was variable, especially with respect to superimposition of the petrous temporal bone. Over half of the cases had normal sinuses, no abnormality and no indication for the radiograph. CONCLUSIONS: Many requests were inappropriate and the resultant radiographs had a low diagnostic yield. The technical quality of the radiographs was variable. Guidelines for clinicians for the prescription of OM radiographs were produced and the protocol for radiographic technique changed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Assessment of the radiographic image: recognition of abnormal features.

Radiographs, due to their ability to pass through materials differentially, are used in dental practice to obtain information that is not available by other means. Recognition of the presence of a variation from normal is the first step to accurate interpretation of abnormalities. This article presents an outline of a method for examining radiographs in order to recognize that an abnormality is present, and to learn from the visual information some of the characteristics of the abnormality. A number of clinical examples are used to illustrate the conclusions that we can draw from the radiographic changes.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

A videofluoroscopic comparison of straw and cup drinking: the potential influence on dental erosion.

OBJECTIVE: Videofluoroscopy was used to compare drinking from a cup with drinking through straws of two varying bore diameters in different positions in the mouth. DESIGN: Clinical study at a single centre. SETTING: UK dental school. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Twenty patients showing clinical signs of erosion which had necessitated advice and/or treatment. INTERVENTIONS: Subjects drank from a cup and through a narrow straw, which was then repositioned more posteriorly. A wide bore straw was used in two equivalent positions. Swallowing was viewed laterally and anteroposteriorly to assess involvement of incisors and molars respectively. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Video recordings examined for presence or absence of fluid contact with teeth following each swallow. If contact occurred, the time was measured. RESULTS: Fourteen patients avoided fluid contact with both incisors and molars when using a straw. Compared with the cup, significant differences were found with the narrow straw (P = 0.03, 95% confidence interval of 22.6% to 31.6%), the narrow straw repositioned (P = 0.008, 95% confidence interval of 12.3% to 47.1%) and the wide straw repositioned (P = 0.03, 95% confidence interval of 3.1% to 37.5%). Contact time of fluid with anterior teeth was also significantly reduced. CONCLUSIONS: Drinking through a straw positioned toward the back of the mouth may reduce the erosive potential of soft drinks.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Assessment of the radiographic image: recognition of normal features.

The importance of observation, and perception, based upon an appropriate level of knowledge, is introduced in this article as the basis for examining dental radiographs. Normal anatomical features are displayed in radiographs as relative radiolucencies or radiopacities, their precise appearance varying with the technique used and exposure factors. This article addresses some of the points related to initial examination of radiographs, and the influence on the image of a variety of anatomical features. The author presents a logical approach to examining radiographs and illustrates the key anatomical features in the region of the jaws.

Child↗
PubMed1998

Dental radiology: capture your image.

The use of radiographs to assist in diagnosis and treatment in dentistry relies upon the acquisition of good-quality images. A number of stages involved in this acquisition, and various regulations and guidelines, must be taken into account when selecting equipment, accessories, exposure factors and processing facilities. Each of these areas influence the quality of the image and its potential diagnostic yield. This article reviews the current recommendations that influence the production of a dental radiograph, as a foundation to assessment of the acquired image.

Humans↗
PubMed1989

Development of equipment for the standardization of skull photographs in personal identifications by photographic superimposition.

The technique of photographic superimposition of postmortem specimens (dried skull or head) positioned identically to the orientation in an antemortem smiling photograph is now a recognized method for personal identification of human remains. Previous methods used to produce the postmortem photographs were problematic as orientation of the specimen could not be easily adjusted and positions were not reproducible. The objective of this paper is to describe the design and method of use of purpose-constructed equipment intended to alleviate these problems. The equipment comprises a skull-holding jig based conceptually on the Royal Berkshire Hospital halo frame. This is mounted on a pan-and-tilt device, incorporating calibrated measurement scales, enabling independent movements in each of the Cartesian coordinates. A camera is attached to an adjustable mount running on twin parallel rails allowing the camera-to-specimen distance to be varied. The equipment has proven to be straightforward in use and offers considerable advantages over previously described methods for producing postmortem photographs.

Cephalometry↗