Microtomografic Assessment of Periapical Lesion in Small Animals: Systematic Review

Objectives: The computadorized microtomography (micro CT) has been widely used for assessment of periapical lesion induced in small animals. However, there is a lack of information and standardization regarding the parameters used in the acquisition and reconstruction of the images and the analysis of the periapical lesion. The aim of this study was to do a systematic review related to the acquisition, reconstruction and analysis of microtomografic images acquired for the assessment of periapical lesion in rats and mice.
Methods: The PubMed bibliographic database was searched from 1970 to August 2014 for reports that used micro CT for assessment of periapical lesion in rats and mice. The search strategy was limited to English-language publication. QUADAS criteria was used to rate the studies in high, moderate or low quality.
Results: Screaning yielded 20 papers that analyzed the periapical lesion in rats or mice using micro CT. Among the 20 papers selected, 16 cited some parameters used in aquisisition, two papers described parameters of reconstruction and 20 cited some parameters used in the analysis of periapical lesion. However, no paper described the completed protocol. Based on the analysis of the QUADAS criteria, no papers has been rated as high quality, 7 were rated as moderate quality and 13 were low quality.
Conclusions: From the studies assessed, it is clear that no general protocol can be yet defined for microtomografic analyses of the periapical lesion in rats and mice. Parameters regarding image acquisition or reconstruction or analysis are not addressed in the proper way in the literature, compromising the reproducibility and scientific impact of the studies.