Cone beam CT in the imaging of musculoskeletal trauma: a scoping review.

Smith, Jessica R; Bharath, Balvinder K; Mallinson, Martine A; Mason, Kim; Snaith, Beverly

Abstract

Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) is an emerging technology in musculoskeletal (MSK) imaging. The objective of this scoping review was to provide an overview of the research surrounding CBCT utility in bony injury assessment as an alternative to other imaging modalities and investigate any gaps in the current evidence base. MEDLINE, CINAHL, and PubMed were searched up to January 2025 for articles including CBCT studies on human participants following trauma. An online literature review tool was used to manage and streamline the review process. The search yielded 23 studies. The image quality and diagnostic accuracy of CBCT were high overall, and a number of studies confirmed the radiation dose to be lower than multislice CT. Studies examined CBCT for extremity trauma, with half the studies focused solely on the wrist. The utility appears greatest in the identification of radiographically occult fractures. Limited cost-effectiveness analysis has been undertaken. Overall, the literature suggests CBCT can be an effective tool in the diagnosis of bony injuries with greater sensitivity than radiography at a lower radiation dose than multi-slice computed tomography. However, evaluation of wider patient and economic impacts of adopting CBCT in MSK trauma pathways is recommended. [Abstract copyright: © 2025. The Author(s).]

Citation

Smith, J. R., Bharath, B. K., Mallinson, M. A., Mason, K., & Snaith, B. (2025). Cone beam CT in the imaging of musculoskeletal trauma: a scoping review. Skeletal Radiology, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-025-04947-w

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: May 4, 2025
• Online Publication Date: May 14, 2025
• Publication Date: May 14, 2025
• Deposit Date: Jun 2, 2025
• Journal: Skeletal radiology
• Print ISSN: 0364-2348
• Electronic ISSN: 1432-2161
• Publisher: Springer Verlag
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-025-04947-w
• Keywords: Cone beam computed tomography, Occult fracture, Musculoskeletal, Trauma, Imaging
• Public URL: https://keele-repository.worktribe.com/output/1242326
• Publisher URL: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00256-025-04947-w