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. 2023 Apr 13;52(5):20220371. doi: 10.1259/dmfr.20220371

Table 2.

Comparison of both imaging modalities regarding the primary and the secondary outcomes

3D-CBCT sialography Ultrasonography Both modalities
Identification of a lesion (primary outcome)
Normal examination, n (%)
Abnormal examination, n (%)
Sensitivity, mean [CI 95%]
Specificity, mean [CI 95%]
Negative predictive value, mean [CI 95%]
Positive predictive value, mean [CI 95%]
44/157 (28.0)
113/157 (72.0)
0.85 [0.76–0.91]
0.44 [0.33–0.55]
0.70 [0.56–0.82]
0.65 [0.55–0.73]
71/157 (45.2)
86/157 (54.8)
0.65 [0.55–0.73]
0.70 [0.56–0.82]
0.44 [0.33–0.55]
0.85 [0.76–0.91]
31/157 (19.7)
73/157 (46.5)
Type of lesion (secondary outcome)
Lithiasis, n (%)
Dilatation, n (%)
Stenosis, n (%)
71/88 (80.7)
27/35 (77.1)
19/19 (100.0)
70/88 (79.6)
20/35 (57.1)
0/19 (0)
54/88 (62.5)
12/35 (34.3)
19/19 (100.0)
Characteristics of the lithiasis
Number: single / multiple, n (%)
Radiopaque / radiolucent, n (%)
Location, n (%):
‍  Anterior third of main canal
 Middle third of main canal
 Posterior third or IG
 Not specified
Sensitivity, mean [CI 95%]
Specificity, mean [CI 95%]
Negative predictive value, mean [CI 95%]
Positive predictive value, mean [CI 95%]
52 (73.2) / 19 (26.8)
60 (84.5) / 11 (15.5)
14 (19.7)
9 (12.7)
48 (67.6)
0 (0)
0.80 [0.69–0.88]
0.82 [0.67–0.91]
0.88 [0.78–0.94]
0.70 [0.56–0.82]
56 (80.0) / 14 (20.0)

3 (4.3)
2 (2.9)
33 (47.1)
32 (45.7)
0.75 [0.63–0.83]
0.67 [0.53–0.79]
0.78 [0.67–0.86]
0.63 [0.49–0.75]
Characteristics of the dilatations:
Location, n (%):
 Anterior third of main canal
 Middle third of main canal
 Posterior third or IG
 Not specified
1 (3.7)
13 (48.1)
6 (22.2)
7 (25.9)
0 (0)
6 (30.0)
1 (5.0)
13 (65.0)
Characteristics of the dilatations:
Location, n (%):
 Anterior third of main canal
 Middle third of main canal
 Posterior third or IG
 Not specified



4 (21.0)
12 (63.2)
3 (15.8)
0 (0)

CI, confidence interval; IG, intraglandular; n, number of patients.