Comparison of triple image area using panoramic radiography of child and adult dry skull.

AIM: The objective of this study was to compare the zone of simple, double and triple images in a dry infant cranium against an adult completely formed one when panoramic X-ray photography's were taken. STUDY DESIGN: We took 96 panoramic X-ray photography's to a dry infant cranium placing a metallic spherical object of 8mm in different anatomical points for later to observe, identify and analyse the image of the object in each of them and determine if the images appeared as simple, double or triple. RESULTS: The 57.15% of images obtained were simple, 16.66 % were double and 26.19% triple. The area of triple and double images in the infant cranium did not involve anatomical important structures. CONCLUSIONS: The area where triple and double images appear was located in the occipital part in the infantile cranium with respect to the adult skull. On the basis of these results we can suggest that the X-ray photography must not be used as the main radiological support in the making of decisions in patients with craniofacial alterations.