A comparative analysis of MRI, CBCT and conventional radiography in patients with atypical odontalgia and symptomatic apical periodontitis : preliminary results

• Aim: Atypical odontalgia(AO) is a chronic pain condition located in the teeth and jaws. It has been suggested, that AO is best regarded as a neuropathic pain condition, but knowledge regarding the etiology, diagnostics, and management of AO is not yet satisfactory. This pilot study evaluates the clinical usefulness of more recently developed imaging methods for intraoral pain conditions. The aim is to compare the diagnostic findings using magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) and cone beam computed tomography(CBCT) with the findings from conventional radiography in patients with atypical odontalgia(AO) and symptomatic apical periodontitis(SAP). Material and methods: 12 patients (9 F, 3 M) mean age 50,25 years, range 36 - 63 years participated in the study. The patients were referred to the Orofacial Pain Unit or the Department of Endodontics, Faculty of Odontology, Malmö University. Inclusion criteria for AO were chronic pain (>6 months) located in a region where a tooth had been endodontically or surgically treated, pain with no pathological cause detectable in clinical or radiological examinations. For SAP, the inclusion criteria were recurrent pain from a tooth diagnosed with apical periodontitis in a clinical and radiographic examination. Ten of the patients in the study were diagnosed with AO and two with SAP. The patients were clinically assessed with a qualitative somatosensory examination, a dental examination, an examination of the masticatory system(RDC/TMD), and panoramic and intraoral radiographs. A questionnaire was used to gather information about pain characteristics, psychosocial status(SCL-90), and quality of life. Besides these measures, each patient underwent a CBCT(3D-Accuitomo, J Morita Co) examination and a MRI(Siemens Sonata Vision 1.5 T) examination with and without contrast enhancement. Contrast was enhanced by injections of Magnevist (469 mg/ml, Schering Nordiska). Bone destruction, sclerosis, and signs of inflammation were the main parameters studied. Results: In the preliminary results, average pain intensity was 6.3 on a numerical rating scale(NRS) and average pain duration was 3,6 years. 83% exhibited somatosensory abnormalities. Bone destruction not visible in the intraoral and panoramic radiographs was detected with CBCT in 40% (4/10) of the patients diagnosed with AO, and signs of inflammation were detected in the MRIs of 20% (2/10) of the patients diagnosed with AO. Conclusion: Preliminary findings indicate that CBCT and MRI can provide additional information to conventional radiography in the diagnosis of intraoral orofacial pain. Further studies with larger sample sizes of AO and SAP patients are necessary to determine the clinical relevance of these findings.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Odontologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Dentistry (hsv//eng)

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