Computed Tomography for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Part I: Spiral Computed Tomography

Computed tomography, particularly spiral computed tomography, is increasingly available for the investigation of face and jaw lesions. This paper introduces the various types of computed tomography, while concentrating on spiral computed tomography, and covers window level and width, pitch, multislice computed tomography, 3-dimensional reformatting, and the limitations of spiral computed tomography. The indications for an increased need for spiral computed tomography are discussed. The applications of other functions of spiral computed tomography that may be applicable to lesions of the face and jaws are introduced. Key words: Jaw fractures, Jaw neoplasms, Radiology, Tomography, spiral computed