Radiographic evaluation of periapical lesions with and without biopsy-proven actinomyces: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the feasibility of identifying potential radiometric differences in periapical radiolucencies with and without actinomycotic colonization as seen on periapical radiographs using histopathology for ground truth. METHOD AND MATERIALS: Periapical radiographs demonstrating apical lesions with and without biopsy-proven actinomycosis were included in the study. Lesion sizes were estimated on standardized images using anatomical reference points. The reading session was repeated after 2 weeks, and mean lesion sizes were calculated. All measurements were made by a single, calibrated observer. RESULTS: The mean dimension of lesions with actinomyces was 13.51 16.43 mm, while lesions without actinomyces had a mean size of 10.24 11.27 mm. CONCLUSION: Apical lesions with biopsy-proven actinomyces may be larger in dimension than those without bacterial colonization. Further controlled studies are required to confirm this finding.

Radiographic evaluation of periapical lesions with and without biopsy-proven actinomyces: a pilot study. Academic Article