High-frequency ultrasound noninvasive tool for detecting peri-implant mucositis and PI disease progression: Study

A study was done to apply high-frequency ultrasound (HFUS) echo intensity for characterizing peri-implant tissues at healthy and diseased sites and to investigate the possible ultrasonographic markers of health versus disease. Sixty patients presenting 60 implants diagnosed as healthy (N = 30) and peri-implantitis (N = 30) were assessed with HFUS. HFUS scans were imported into a software where first-order greyscale outcomes [i.e., mean echo intensity (EI)] and second-order greyscale outcomes were assessed. Other ultrasonographic outcomes of interest involved the vertical extension of the hypoechoic supracrestal area (HSA), soft-tissue area (STA) and buccal bone dehiscence (BBD), among others.

Results: HFUS EI mean values obtained from peri-implant soft tissue at healthy and diseased sites were 122.9 ± 19.7 and 107.9 ± 24.7 grey levels (GL); p = .02, respectively. All the diseased sites showed the appearance of an HSA that was not present in healthy implants (area under the curve = 1). The proportion of HSA/STA was 37.9% ± 14.8%. Regression analysis showed that EI of the peri-implant soft tissue was significantly different between healthy and peri-implantitis sites. HFUS EI characterization of peri-implant tissues shows a significant difference between healthy and diseased sites. HFUS EI and the presence/absence of an HSA may be valid diagnostic ultrasonographic markers to discriminate peri-implant health status.

Reference:

Galarraga-Vinueza, M. E., Barootchi, S., Mancini, L., Sabri, H., Schwarz, F., Gallucci, G. O., & Tavelli, L. (2024). Echo-intensity characterization at implant sites and novel diagnostic ultrasonographic markers for peri-implantitis. Journal of Clinical Periodontology, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpe.13976