Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) has revolutionized diagnostic imaging in the veterinary orthopedic field.

It has enabled delicate structures to be imaged in intricate detail, ensuring no pathologies are missed, diseases can be detected early, and surgery can be planned with the greatest precision.

In veterinary clinics, CBCT is now being used to scan cats and dogs, providing 3D images superior to other imaging modalities.

The benefits of using CBCT for Veterinary

Orthopedic surgeons rely on various imaging techniques for all aspects of their work including diagnostics, surgical planning, intra-surgical imaging, and monitoring post-surgical healing.

The unique properties CBCT has to offer make it the ideal imaging modality for orthopedic work as it greatly reduces a patient’s radiation exposure compared to conventional CT, while still producing high-quality images.

Compared to conventional CT, which uses a continuous beam of radiation, CBCT uses a conical-shaped beam and flat plate receiver, which both rotate 180 to 360° around the patient, while only taking intermittent images at specific intervals. Algorithms are used to convert these 2D images into a reconstructed 3D view that provides orthopedic surgeons with high-resolution images.

The benefits of CBCT:

High-resolution 3D images are produced – The intricate level of detail each scan provides is ideal for assessing the architecture of bones and complex joints.
Patients are only exposed to a low dose of radiation – The use of a focused field of view and intermittent radiation exposure during one scan enables each patient’s radiation dose to be significantly reduced compared to conventional CT.
No issues with superimposition – The 3D images eliminate superimposition, enabling structures to be viewed using CBCT that would otherwise be unable to be assessed with digital radiography.
Scans can be performed rapidly – A full scan takes less than a minute to complete, so it is ideal for both veterinary work and for use during orthopedic surgeries.
The equipment is cost-effective – Compared to the cost of setting up a conventional CT scanner, CBCT is cheaper, enabling veterinary clinics access to CT when conventional CT scanners are out of budget.

CBCT in Orthopedic Veterinary Clinics

CBCT was first used in dentistry where it superseded digital radiographs by providing more accurate information on lesion location while being cost-effective and performing scans rapidly.

More recently, orthopedic surgeons have started using the benefits of CBCT, especially for imaging areas that were previously difficult to assess using digital radiography due to the location of superimposed bones or complex joints.

Why CBCT is superior to digital radiography

Digital radiography is the first-line imaging choice for diagnosing orthopedic conditions in our pets.

However, digital radiography has the disadvantage of only being able to provide limited anatomical detail, restricting its use for diagnosing orthopedic conditions and surgical planning.

Veterinary clinics with access to CBCT can rely on this technique to provide superior detailed scans for all stages of orthopedic work. When used for diagnosing orthopedic conditions, it can assess fractures that would have otherwise been missed and can detect signs of degenerative conditions and bone tumors earlier.

The use of imaging for orthopedic surgery

Orthopedic surgeons are greatly reliant on access to reliable imaging modalities for pre-surgical planning and intra-surgical use.

CBCT is the ideal choice for surgical planning as each scan provides detailed information on lesion location and enables surgical accuracy to be improved while limiting the need for revision surgeries.

Benefits of CBCT for orthopedic surgery:

Ideal for pre-surgical planning – The high-resolution 3D images provide surgeons with maximum information on the location of the lesion, enabling improved surgical accuracy during intricate surgeries while also decreasing anesthetic and surgical time.
Rapid scan times of less than one minute – Each scan may take between 5 to 40 seconds, helping to reduce the surgical and anesthetic time for the patients who require intra-operative scans.
Mobile equipment – Having access to portable CBCT equipment enables scans to be performed during surgery with limited disruption to the patient or the aseptic field.
Lower radiation doses – Compared to conventional CT, CBCT exposes patients to significantly lower radiation doses while not compromising image quality. This enables repeated scans to be performed when necessary.
Ideal for monitoring healing post-surgery – CBCT allows healing to be more accurately assessed, especially when monitoring fracture repair and callus formation. In comparison, digital radiographs can over- or underestimate healing, making it difficult to assess post-operative recovery.

CBCT is currently gaining rapid popularity in veterinary hospitals due to its ability to produce accurate 3D images in a rapid, cost-effective way that is unique to other imaging modalities.

ts ability to overcome superimposition and its suitability for surgical planning and intra-surgical use make it essential for all veterinary orthopedic work.

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Cone Beam CT and Orthopedic Surgery for Veterinary Hospitals