RADIOMORFOMETRIC ASSESSMENT OF PATIENTS WITH MULTIPLE MYELOMA: A PRELIMINARY STUDY

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the radiomorphometric indices correlated to bone mineral density: mandibular cortical width (MCW), mandibular alveolar reabsorption index (MARI), and mandibular panoramic index (MPI), in mandible computed tomography (CT) multiple myeloma. Study Design: In panoramic views from the mandible CT of 16 patients diagnosed with multiple myeloma, measurements were made by an experienced examiner. These exams had their panoramic curve defined in relation to the most central point of the mandibular base, and the results were compared with measurements performed on mandible CT scans of patients without bone disease, paired by sex and age in a 1:1 ratio. Results: It was demonstrated that although there were more cases of abnormal values for the MCW and MARI indices in patients in the test group and the mean values of the radiomorphometric indices were lower in all indices in the test group, there was no significant difference between the groups (P> .05).Conclusions: These preliminary data indicate the need for evaluation in a larger sample in order to confirm the tendency for more frequent changes in radiomorphometric indices evaluated in panoramic views from mandible CT scans of patients with multiple myeloma. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the radiomorphometric indices correlated to bone mineral density: mandibular cortical width (MCW), mandibular alveolar reabsorption index (MARI), and mandibular panoramic index (MPI), in mandible computed tomography (CT) multiple myeloma. Study Design: In panoramic views from the mandible CT of 16 patients diagnosed with multiple myeloma, measurements were made by an experienced examiner. These exams had their panoramic curve defined in relation to the most central point of the mandibular base, and the results were compared with measurements performed on mandible CT scans of patients without bone disease, paired by sex and age in a 1:1 ratio. Results: It was demonstrated that although there were more cases of abnormal values for the MCW and MARI indices in patients in the test group and the mean values of the radiomorphometric indices were lower in all indices in the test group, there was no significant difference between the groups (P> .05).Conclusions: These preliminary data indicate the need for evaluation in a larger sample in order to confirm the tendency for more frequent changes in radiomorphometric indices evaluated in panoramic views from mandible CT scans of patients with multiple myeloma.