Comparison of Diagnostic Consistency and Diagnostic Accuracy Between Survey Radiography and Computed Tomography of the Skull in 30 Rabbits With Dental Disease

Accurate diagnosis of dental disease and related complications is extremely important in companion rabbit medicine. When dental disease is diagnosed, a proper prognosis and surgical plan is essential for treatment success. The objectives of this retrospective study were to compare survey radiography and computed tomography (CT) of the skull and teeth in rabbit patients affected by dental disease verifying consistency between observers and diagnostic significance of the 2 techniques, and to evaluate diagnostic accuracy of the 2 modalities for prognostic and therapeutic purposes. In total, 27 pet rabbits were included in the study. A second diagnostic procedure was performed on 3 patients with dental disease for a total of 30 examinations for each technique. A full series of 5 extraoral radiographic views and CT scans of the head without contrast medium were obtained from each patient while under general anesthesia. With both series of imaging modalities, 13 bilateral anatomic and dental structures were evaluated by 2 observers for each patient’s skull. Observations were statistically consistent for diagnosis, within the same technique and between the 2 techniques. Diagnostic accuracy of CT was superior in 24 patients (80%) in diagnosis and prognosis and in 17 patients (56.6%) for guiding extraoral dental and surgical treatment. Radiography provided superior accuracy in 5 patients (16.6%) for guiding intraoral dental treatment.