Evaluation of the dosimetry and centralization of scout-view function in CBCT.

This study evaluated the centralization of the region of interest (ROI) in acquisition of the CBCT images, when the freely positionable scout-view (SV) function is applied. Additionally, the dosimetry of the acquired images was assessed in the SV function alone as well as in complete tomographic image in two different fields of view (FOV) (50x50 and 78x150mm). A three-location device was created to accommodate the dosimeters and the specimens, in the right, middle and left location during image acquisition. For dose assessment, thermoluminescent dosimeters were irradiated within the FOV and analyzed in a portable reader. For ROI evaluation, three specimens of gutta-percha stick were placed on the same device and the CT scans were acquired (CBCT OP 300 Maxio device, 90kV, 13mA, 85 µm voxel size, FOV of 50X50mm), with and without the SV, in three positions (3-9, 1-7 and 5-11 o'clock), simulating different regions of the mouth. Two image evaluations were performed, an objective and subjective. There was a slight percentage increase (1.36% to 1.40%) of the radiation dose with the use of SV. The distances were significantly greater in the images acquired without SV (p < 0.05). Every image obtained with SV was classified as being at the FOV's center. In conclusion, the results demonstrated that SVs function is effective to centralize the ROI in the FOV, increasing the scan precision and avoiding repetitions due to positioning errors.