The Utilisation of Craniomaxillofacial Radiology in Preventative Medicine

Abstract

This thesis discusses the importance of the maximal utilisation of dental, maxillofacial and antenatal craniofacial imaging in preventative healthcare. Many craniomaxillofacial imaging techniques can provide added diagnostic information which assist in the diagnosis of conditions other than those that the study was performed to investigate. The first publication describes use of panoramic dental radiographs in the assessment of stroke risk in the individual patient. The second publication discusses the uses and limitations of panoramic dental radiographs in the evaluation of maxillary sinus disease. The final three articles establish the normal fetal cephalic index, and its value in the antenatal detection of sagittal craniosynostosis. The results of these studies will assist dental and medical professionals in the appropriate investigation and management of patients with carotid artery calcification detected incidentally on orthopantomograms, and the selection of the most suitable imaging studies to evaluate the maxillary sinuses. The antenatal diagnosis of sagittal craniosynostosis can provide valuable information to the expectant mother and her obstetrician with regards to delivery options and choices where there is an increased risk of obstructed labour that could injure mother, child or both. The full utilisation of these imaging studies will provide an increased clinical benefit to the patient and referrer, and can benefit the population as a whole by assisting with preserving the health of the community and managing spiralling healthcare costs. Craniomaxillofacial Radiology Declaration Declaration I, Sarah Christine Constantine, certify that this work contains no material which has been accepted for the award of any other degree or diploma in my name, in any university or other tertiary institution and, to the best of my knowledge and belief, contains no material previously published or written by another person, except where due reference has been made in the text. In addition, I certify that no part of this work will, in the future, be used in a submission in my name, for any other degree or diploma in any university or other tertiary institution without the prior approval of the University of Adelaide and where applicable, any partner institution responsible for the joint-award of this degree. I acknowledge that copyright of published works contained within this thesis resides with the copyright holder(s) of those works. I also give permission for the digital version of my thesis to be made available on the web, via the University’s digital research repository, the Library Search and also through web search engines, unless permission has been granted by the University to restrict access for a period of time. I acknowledge the support I have received for my research through the provision of an Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship.