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Frontiers in veterinary science2018; 4; 236; doi: 10.3389/fvets.2017.00236

A Comparison of Computed Tomographic, Radiographic, Gross and Histological, Dental, and Alveolar Findings in 30 Abnormal Cheek Teeth from Equine Cadavers.

Abstract: Equine cheek teeth disorders, especially pulpar/apical infections, can have very serious consequences due to the frequent extension of infection to the supporting bones and/or adjacent paranasal sinuses. Limited studies have assessed the accuracy of computed tomographic (CT) imaging in the diagnosis of these disorders, and no study has directly compared imaging and pathological findings of the alveoli of diseased equine cheek teeth. Objective: To validate the accuracy of CT and radiographic imaging of cheek teeth disorders by comparing CT and radiographic imaging, gross and histological findings in abnormal cheek teeth and their alveoli extracted from equine cadaver heads. Methods: original study. Methods: Fifty-four cadaver heads from horses with unknown histories that had died or been euthanized on humane grounds obtained from a rendering plant had radiography, CT imaging, and gross pathological examinations performed. Based on imaging and gross examination findings, 30 abnormal cheek teeth (26 maxillary and 4 mandibular) identified in 26 heads were extracted along with their dental alveoli where possible, and further CT imaging, gross, and histological examinations were performed. Eight maxillary cheek teeth (including four with attached alveolar bone) from these heads, that were normal on gross and CT examinations, were used as controls. Results: Gross pathological and histological examinations indicated that 28/30 teeth, including two supernumerary teeth, had pulpar/apical infection, including pulpar and apical changes. A further supernumerary and a dysplastic tooth were also identified. Abnormal calcified tissue architecture was present in all three supernumerary and in the dysplastic tooth. CT imaging strongly indicated the presence of pulpar/apical infection in 27 of the 28 (96.4%) pulpar/apically infected teeth, including the presence of intrapulpar gas ( = 19/28), apical clubbing ( = 20), periapical halo ( = 4), root lysis or fragmentation ( = 7), and periapical gas ( = 2). Also present were alveolar bone sclerosis ( = 20), alveolar bone thickening ( = 3), and lytic/erosive changes ( = 8). Radiographic abnormalities strongly indicative of pulpar/apical infection including periapical sclerosis ( = 8/28) and apical clubbing ( = 14/28) were found in 14/28 (50%) of apically infected teeth. Histological changes were present in alveolar bone of all 21 cases of apical infection where alveolus remained attached to the tooth and was marked in 16 cases, all which had CT alveolar changes. Histological changes included disruption of the normal trabecular pattern, increased osteoclastic activity, and the presence of islands of bone with a scalloped profile within the thickened attached periodontal ligament. No gross pathological or histological changes were present in the eight control teeth or their alveoli ( = 4). Conclusions: No history or breed-related information was available on these cases. Conclusions: There was a 96.4% correlation between a CT diagnosis and confirmative pathological findings in 28 apically infected teeth confirming the accuracy of CT imaging in diagnosing equine pulpar/apical infections. There was also excellent correlation between CT and histological alveolar bone findings.
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Publication Date: 2018-01-05 PubMed ID: 29354640PubMed Central: PMC5760576DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2017.00236Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research compares the accuracy of computed tomographic (CT) and radiographic imaging in diagnosing dental disorders in horses. The study found a 96.4% correlation between CT imaging and pathological findings in infected teeth, confirming CT’s diagnostic accuracy.

Objective and Methods

  • The aim of the study was to assess the accuracy of CT and radiographic imaging in identifying dental disorders in horses, focusing on cheek teeth.
  • The researchers conducted a comparative analysis of CT images, radiographs, and gross pathologic and histologic examinations of 30 abnormal cheek teeth and their alveoli taken from 54 equine cadaver heads.
  • The cadavers, with unknown histories, were obtained from a rendering plant, where horses that had died or been euthanized on humanitarian grounds were processed.

Findings

  • The study identified that 28 out of the 30 cheek teeth, including two supernumerary teeth, showed signs of pulpar/apical infection.
  • The CT imaging correctly identified pulpar/apical infections in 27 of the 28 affected teeth (96.4% accuracy), as verified by pathological findings from histological examination.
  • The study also demonstrated the accuracy of CT imaging in diagnosing various pathological changes in the tooth and its supporting structures, such as the presence of intrapulpar gas, apical clubbing, periapical halo, root lysis or fragmentation, and periapical gas. Normal, healthy teeth did not show these changes.

Radiography vs. CT Imaging

  • Compared to CT imaging, radiography was less accurate, correctly identifying abnormal conditions indicative of pulpar/apical infections in just 14 out of the 28 cases (50% accuracy).

Alveolar Bone Changes

  • The study also found significant changes in the alveolar bone connected to the infected teeth, including disruption of the normal trabecular pattern, increased osteoclastic activity, and the presence of islands of bone with a scalloped profile within the thickened attached periodontal ligament.
  • CT imaging was able to identify these histological changes in the alveolar bone, demonstrating an excellent correlation with histological findings.

Conclusion

  • The research concluded that CT imaging is a highly accurate diagnostic tool for detecting equine cheek teeth disorders, particularly pulpar/apical infections.
  • The findings of the study confirm the superior diagnostic accuracy of CT imaging over radiography in diagnosing dental disorders in horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Liuti T, Smith S, Dixon PM. (2018). A Comparison of Computed Tomographic, Radiographic, Gross and Histological, Dental, and Alveolar Findings in 30 Abnormal Cheek Teeth from Equine Cadavers. Front Vet Sci, 4, 236. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2017.00236

Publication

Frontiers in veterinary science
ISSN: 2297-1769
NlmUniqueID: 101666658
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 4
Pages: 236
PII: 236

Researcher Affiliations

Liuti, Tiziana
  • Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and The Roslin Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Roslin, United Kingdom.
Smith, Sionagh
  • Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and The Roslin Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Roslin, United Kingdom.
Dixon, Padraic M
  • Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and The Roslin Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Roslin, United Kingdom.

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Citations

This article has been cited 7 times.
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