Development of non-contact patient head alignment device (HEAD) for X-ray imaging for skull true lateral projection

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of the developed auxiliary head alignment device for true X-ray skull lateral projection and evaluate the accuracy of skull true lateral imaging according to the use of this device by applying a skull phantom. The developed non-contact patient head alignment device (HEAD) for radiography was intended to enable someone with minimal experience with X-ray imaging to inspect an accurate skull true lateral projection and ensure the reproducibility of the inspection. The tilting and rotation of the skull X-ray images were evaluated by comparing the positions of the mandibular condylar processes observed from both sides. A paired t test was performed for the differences in tilting and rotational changes before and after using the HEAD for skull lateral projection. In addition, the interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used for reliability evaluation according to the use of the HEAD at different times. The mean length of the left and right intervals of both intercondylar processes indicating rotation before and after the use of the HEAD was 7.25 ± 2.62 and 2.24 ± 1.32, respectively (p < 0.01). The upper and lower intervals of both intercondylar processes indicating tilting of the head were 8.18 ± 2.24 without the HEAD and 2.60 ± 1.92 using the device (p < 0.01). Using the developed HEAD, a skull lateral X-ray image with very accurate information for the patient’s diagnosis can be acquired