ArticleHead & face medicine2026
Impact of cranial collimation on cephalometric landmark visibility.
Article in Head & face medicine, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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6 authors.
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Abstract
introductionTo reduce radiation exposure, collimation of lateral cephalograms is frequently provided by manufacturers. However, cranial collimation geometries can lead to masking of anatomical reference points that are necessary for cephalometric analyses. To avoid unintended reference point masking, identifying optimal collimation geometries is crucial for diagnostic reliability and is therefore of significant clinical relevance. The aim of this study was to quantify (i) the frequency of Nasion and Sella landmark masking for a common collimation geometry and (ii) to derive ideal collimation parameters. MATERIALS AND
methodsN = 1000 randomly selected lateral cephalograms were categorized into collimated (n = 49) and non-collimated (n = 951) images. The non-collimated images were virtually collimated using the same geometric settings. For each landmark and cephalogram, the frequency of landmark masking was assessed. For the statistical analysis log-regression was used to analyze association with head positioning, i.e. angular discrepancy to Frankfort horizontal plane (FHP-discrepancy), and Bjork sum growth pattern. The analyses were performed using the open-source software R using a significance level alpha of 0.05.
resultsSella was visible on all radiographs, whereas Nasion was masked in 0.6% of the lateral cephalograms. Masking could have been avoided if collimation was limited to the upper 16.02% of image height. Counter clockwise inclination of the head measured as FHP-discrepancy was significantly associated with landmark masking (p = 0.040) as well as a vertical skeletal growth pattern (as determined by the Bjork sum) (p = 0.029).
conclusionsThe evaluated collimation geometry that masks the upper 18% of the radiographs would have prevented masking for 99% of the included radiographs. Correct head positioning might further reduce the risk of landmark masking. The benefit of cranial collimation should be considered carefully for patients with pronounced vertical growth pattern (as determined by the Bjork sum).
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