Antigoni Delantoni

Ultrasonographic applications in the maxillofacial region

Ultrasonography is a well-established and highly useful imaging modality applicable to the maxillofacial region. Its principal advantages include being non-invasive, radiation-free, and capable of producing real-time images without causing discomfort to the patient. The technique is relatively easy to perform and is associated with minimal imaging artifacts compared with other modalities.
However, ultrasonography also has certain limitations. Image quality is highly operator- and machine-dependent, and the results are influenced by probe selection and handling. Additionally, the method has limited ability to visualize structures located deep to bone or air-filled cavities, which restricts its use in assessing some intraosseous or deeply situated lesions.
In clinical practice, ultrasonography serves as an excellent first-line imaging examination for the evaluation of cervical lymph nodes, salivary glands, facial soft tissues, and certain types of facial trauma. It allows dynamic assessment through real-time imaging and video recording, and it can effectively demonstrate lesion vascularity and internal content.
Recent technological advances have significantly expanded the applications of maxillofacial ultrasonography. The incorporation of newer techniques, such as color Doppler imaging and elastography, enhances diagnostic accuracy by providing additional information on vascular patterns and tissue stiffness. These developments assist clinicians in establishing a more precise diagnosis and in formulating an appropriate treatment plan.
In this lecture, we will discuss the current applications and emerging techniques in maxillofacial ultrasonography.

Antigoni Delantoni, DDS, MSc, PhD, MD is an Associate Professor at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, where she serves as faculty. She is a graduate of the Aristotle University, School of Dentistry, Thessaloniki, Greece (1998). Her post degree training includes a 2-yr internship in Oral Radiology (University of British Columbia 2002) from where she got the MSc title in Oral Radiology and Diagnostics and a 2-yr continuing education program in oral implantology (Greek German Dental Association, 2009). In addition, she has completed a doctoral degree (Aristotle University School of Dentistry, Thessaloniki, Greece 2007) and has graduated from medical school (Aristotle University School of Medicine, Thessaloniki, Greece (2008) . She has also finished a postdoctoral research degree with a full scholarship by the Greek State Scholarships foundation (2009) and has completed part of the medical specialty of Radiology.Recently she has completed a continuous education course on AI in healthcare by National Kapodistrian University of Athens (2024).

She is a member of the editorial board of several journals in her field and a reviewer for over 40 international journals including TripleO, Dentomaxillofacial Radiology, Rheumatology, The Cleft Palate Craniofacial Journal, Head & Face Medicine, Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences, International Journal of Clinical Dentistry.

She has published numerous papers and books in Greek and English and has spoken in a large number of congresses nationally and internationally covering a variety of topics with main focus on oral radiology and maxillofacial imaging.

Her main research interests are new imaging methods and digital imaging in dentistry. Also imaging techniques such as CT, CBCT, MRI, ultrasound (USG),in the fields of head and neck radiology, and Dentomaxillofacial Radiology.
She has edited two book for Springer (Atlas of Dentomaxillofacial Anatomical Imaging, Digital Dentistry) and two books in Greek (medical Emergencies in Dentistry, Ultrasound in dentistry) and has authored chapters in many national and international books.