Panoramic Radiographs for Detecting Osteopenia: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Osteoporosis characterized by low bone mass/osteopenia can be identified using radiomorphometric indices in routine panoramic radiographs. This study estimates the prevalence of osteopenia in 50-80 years age group, using panoramic mandibular index (PMI), mental index (MI) and mandibular cortical index (MCI). PMI, MI and MCI were applied on 36 panoramic radiographs; MI and MCI were compared with PMI. The prevalence of osteopenia was 11.1% with PMI and 44.4% with MCI. Using MI, the prevalence was 2.8% and 33.3% with 3mm and 4.77mm threshold respectively. The prevalence of osteopenia detected was highest using MCI (44.4%). Considering PMI as gold standard, MI with 4.77 mm threshold showed better agreement with PMI.

Mandibular indexes and fractal properties on the panoramic radiographs of the patients using aromatase inhibitors

“…12,13,16,18,25,26,31 Bone quality and quantity was assessed by measurements such as MCW, MCI, and PMI measured from specific locations on the panoramic radiographs. 10,13,[32][33][34][35][36] Panoramic radiography was used in our study because it was taken more frequently in the patient examination and was an easily applicable method. The results of the several studies in the literature show that patients with osteoporosis present lower MCW values.…”

“…Osteoporosis is a progressive systemic skeletal disease, causing increased fracture risk and bone fragility, characterized by osteopenia (low bone mass) and micro architectural corruption of bone tissue. 10 Various methods can be used to measure bone mass like dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, digital X-ray radiogrammetry, quantitative ultrasound, quantitative CT, and other radiographic techniques. 10,11 The most accepted method is X-ray absorptiometry for assessing BMD, but it has high cost and limited availability in routine use.…”

“…10 Various methods can be used to measure bone mass like dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, digital X-ray radiogrammetry, quantitative ultrasound, quantitative CT, and other radiographic techniques. 10,11 The most accepted method is X-ray absorptiometry for assessing BMD, but it has high cost and limited availability in routine use. Radiographs and image processing techniques have been developed to allow the quantification of mandibular bone mass and trabecular microarchitecture to predict low BMD of the skeletal system in patients.…”