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Table 2 Advantages and disadvantages of musculoskeletal CBCT

From: Cone beam CT of the musculoskeletal system: clinical applications

ADVANTAGES

DISADVANTAGES

Lower radiation dose than MDCT

Radiation exposure higher than CR

More comfortable positioning than MRI for patients suffering from claustrophobia

Prone to motion artifacts (patient with tremor, children)

Suitable for postoperative follow-up in patient with metallic implants using appropriate metal artifact algorithms

Limited field of view

High spatial resolution images of bone architecture

Limited evaluation of soft tissue pathology

High spatial resolution images of cartilage surface after intra-articular contrast injection

Mildly more time consuming than CR, comparable examination time to MDCT due to easier positioning

Relative low cost of equipment

 

Joint imaging in weight-bearing position with some CBCT equipment