Assessment of Frequency of Errors in Conventional Panoramic Radiographs

Abstract

Although use of conventional panoramic systems leads to degrade the image quality, it is still common in Sri Lanka. The objective of the study was to determine the frequency of errors occurred during Ortho Pantomo Graph (OPG) and to minimize the further occurrence. Two hundred and fifty OPGs were collected from Department of Radiology, Dental Hospital (Teaching) Peradeniya (DHTP). Quality of 250 OPGs was evaluated by one radiologist and a radiographer. Evaluators assessed all 250 radiographs for presence of errors in categories including patient preparation, patient positioning, patient motion, exposure, handling and processing. The frequency of each error was recorded. Further, number of repeated radiographs was also recorded. There were only 22 (9%) error-free OPGs. 228 (91%) radiographs had errors. 6% of OPGs were unacceptable and had to be re-taken. The frequencies of errors in conventional OPGs were relatively high in this study with patient positioning errors being the most frequent error.