Vestfold Hospital in Norway evaluates CBCT for extremity imaging
The Norwegian hospital Sykehuset i Vestfold (SiV) began using the Planmed Verity® extremity CBCT scanner for research purposes over the course of the winter and spring 2025. Over 3 months, more than 180 patients have participated in this trial conducted at the radiology department of the hospital.
Exploring the world of CBCT: The trial team reflects on their experience with Planmed Verity®
From left: foot and ankle surgeon Paul Søderman, radiographer Cathrine Trill, radiologist Tom Werner Olsen, medical physicist Bente Konst (inside the gantry), and hand surgeon Jon Fredrik Stuestøl
“The purpose of the trial has been to compare the image quality between cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) and X-ray modalities,” says Bente Konst, the medical physicist in charge of the research project. “We have also compared metal artifacts in CBCT and MDCT to see if there are differences in how pronounced they are.”
In addition, the research project aims to find out which modality helps the surgeons most in their work. Dose-related questions, workflow and time expenditure are also being reviewed.
The research team consists of medical physicist Bente Konst, radiographer Cathrine Trill, radiologist Tom Werner Olsen, hand surgeon Jon Fredrik Stuestøl, and foot and ankle surgeon Paul Søderman. They will start to analyze the results in June and hope to get the research article finalized by the end of this year.
“We have been able to gather lot of data, there is data for two research articles,” notes Konst.
Initial findings and feedback
“At this point, we can already say that we see more pathologies in CBCT than in X-ray,” states radiologist Tom Werner Olsen. According to Dr. Olsen, the weight-bearing CT has also been of huge importance in terms of patient treatment. He notes that standing CBCT provides a more extensive overview of the pathology. As for hand images, Dr. Olsen mentions that there has been positive internal feedback and that the CBCT images have been utilized for making 3D prints.
“The radiation dose for CBCT is lower compared to MDCT or X-ray with 6 projections,” says Bente Konst. She shares an anecdote about how orthopedists, delighted with the CBCT scans, momentarily forgot about the research and canceled some of the scheduled MDCT scans. “They were just so happy [with CBCT]! We had to remind them to send the patients also to the other modalities,” Konst remarks.
Pleasant surprises
“We didn’t actually know what we would get but the system has been so easy and fun to use,” says Cathrine Trill, the responsible radiographer. She adds, “It is surprising how easy it is to scan with Planmed Verity® CBCT. All patients have been very curious, and everyone has wanted to contribute to the research.”
Text and image: Emma Böhme
