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One of the many benefits
of CBCT imaging is the low
radiation dose compared
to e.g. a traditional
CT scan.”
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Furthermore, a CBCT scan can be radiology, who is in charge of imaging the
post-processed to include all required slice neck patients referred to Pantomo Oy by
thicknesses. “They can also be acquired in Villanen. “Planmeca’s device has a handy
a high resolution CT scan, but that would cervical spine program that sets the
produce an even higher radiation dose”, device automatically to the right position.
describes Mikkonen. The only difference in patient positioning,
compared to dental patients, is that the
Also, the patient position is better in a head of neck patients must be turned with
CBCT scan than in a CT scan. A CT scan extreme caution.”
is acquired with the patient lying down,
whereas in a CBCT scan, the patient is The open patient positioning also
sitting up, allowing a more natural head pleases patients with claustrophobia.
position. “In a lying position, the load of “Some patients may be very relieved by not
the head is not completely natural. All having to go into a tube for a scan.”
in all, radiologists should make more use
of functional imaging, so that patients CBCT images of trauma patients
could be imaged in their normal working
positions, for example.” Some of Villanen’s CBCT patients have
sustained a neck or head injury in an
Fast imaging increases accident: a car accident, horse riding
patient comfort accident, a fall, or by a heavy object falling
on their head at a construction site. The
From the patient’s perspective, a CBCT patients range from 17 to 80 years of age,
scan is quite pleasant – in addition to the and the majority of them are women.
low radiation dose, the procedure is quick.
A regular MRI scan takes about 20 to 30 “Research shows that, all other things
minutes, and a functional MRI scan up to being equal, women are more prone to
two hours, but a CBCT scan is complete in injuries in a car crash than men. The head
less than a minute. position is crucial in a crash, and women
often make the mistake of first turning their
“Many patients have been surprised head to see if the children in the back seat
at the brevity of the scan”, says Mika are okay. You should not look back, but
Mattila, Specialist in oral and maxillofacial protect yourself ”, says Villanen.
