Radiomorphometric Indices Research Articles

The relationship between radiomorphometric indices and fractal dimension analysis: a cone-beam computed tomography study.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the relationship between radiomorphometric indices and fractal dimension (FD) analysis in jawbone radiographic density using Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT). The study included 87 CBCT datasets from dental patients aged 50-79. Four radiomorphometric indices (Computed Tomography Cortical Index (CTCI), Computed Tomography Mental Index (CTMI), Computed Tomography Index-Superior (CTI-S), and Computed Tomography Index-Inferior (CTI-I)) along with age, gender, remaining teeth, and mandibular bone height were evaluated. FD was assessed in trabecular bone near the mental foramen (ROI 1) and on the mandibular cortical bone (ROI 2). Relationships between indices and variables were analyzed using Pearson chi-square, Fisher's exact, one-way ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis, and Spearman's rho tests. ANOVA showed significant differences in mandibular bone height (p = .004) and FD at ROI 2 (p = .000) across three mandibular cortex types (C1, C2, C3). Spearman's rho indicated significant correlations between FD at ROI 2 and CTMI, CTI-S, CTI-I (p = .000), and between mandibular bone height and CTMI (p = .010). The correlations of FD at ROI 2 ranged from strongest to weakest with CTCI, CTMI, CTI-S, and CTI-I. High-risk osteoporosis radiomorphometric indices are associated with FD analysis of cortical bone.

Evaluation of mandibular bone structure changes in phenylketonuria patients through fractal analysis and radiomorphometric indices

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of phenylketonuria (PKU) on mandibular bone structure by comparing the bone of PKU patients with healthy controls using fractal analysis and the radiomorphometric indices of mandibular cortical width (MCW) and mandibular cortical index (MCI). Study DesignIn total, 32 patients with PKU were analyzed and compared with the control patients. Regions of interest in panoramic radiographs were selected and the fractal dimension (FD) obtained from fractal analysis was calculated. MCW was defined as the cortical thickness of the inferior border of the mandible at the level of the mental foramen. MCI classified the endosteal edge of the mandibular cortex as C1: straight and sharp, C2: the presence lacunar resorption spaces, and C3: distinctly porous and severely eroded. The significance level was P<0.05. ResultsAll FD and MCW values were significantly lower in the PKU patients. The prevalence of C1 was significantly lower and prevalence of C2 was significantly higher in the PKU group. ConclusionThe differences in fractal dimension and radiomorphometric indices between patients with PKU and healthy controls may indicate a potential impact of PKU on mandibular bone structure.

Mandibular bone mass density in a medieval population and its relationship with stable isotopes δ13C and δ15N.

The aim of this study was to compare the level of bone mass in digital orthopantomograms in two populations (medieval and current) using two radiomorphometric indexes, and to correlate the mandibular bone mass value, in the medieval mandible population, with stable isotope data δ13C and δ15N. An observational, cross-sectional, and analytical study on mandibles from two diachronic groups, 15 mandibles from the medieval settlement of La Torrecilla (Granada, Spain) and 15 mandibles from current patients at the Faculty of Dentistry of the University of Granada (Spain), matched by age and sex was conducted. The bone mass density was determined using the Mandibular Cortical Width Index (MCW) and the Mandibular Panoramic Index (PMI) in digital panoramic radiographs. In the medieval group, the values of bone mass density were correlated with those of two stable isotopes (δ13C and δ15N). The mean value of MCW in mm in the medieval group was 3.96 ± 0.60 (mean ± standard deviation) and in the current group was 4.02 ± 1.01. The PMI was 0.33 ± 0.06 and 0.35 ± 0.08 in the medieval and current groups respectively, with similar results in both groups (p = 0.820 and p = 0.575). A negative correlation was found between both morphometric indices and the δ15N isotope (rs = 0.56, p = 0.030 and rs = 0.61, p = 0.016, respectively). The bone mass density in mandibles belonging to the two compared populations, determined by two quantitative radiomorphometric indices, is similar. Within the medieval population, there is an inverse correlation between the δ15N value and bone mass density.

Direct-Acting Oral Anticoagulant/Vitamin K Antagonists: Do They Affect the Trabecular and Cortical Structure of the Mandible?

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the mandibular bone structure of patients using oral anticoagulants (OACs) vitamin K antagonist drugs (warfarin) and other OACs including direct oral anticoagulants [(DOACs) apixaban, rivaroxaban, dabigatran, edoxaban]. Analyses were based upon the fractal dimension (FD), the panoramic mandibular index (PMI) and the Klemetti index (KI), which is also known as the mandibular cortical index (MCI).Methodology: Ninety participants were divided into three groups: group 1: 30 systemically healthy individuals who had not used any anticoagulants before, group 2: 30 individuals using warfarin, and group 3: 30 individuals using DOACs. FD was used to analyze trabecular bone architecture in the condyle, angle, and two sites in the alveolar bone. PMI was used to evaluate the quantity of cortical bone and KI was used to evaluate the cortical bone quality.Results: There was no difference between the groups regarding FD analysis and KI; however, a difference was found between groups 1, 2, and 3 in the PMI (P≤ 0.001). The PMI in group 1 was higher than in groups 2 and 3.Conclusion: Mandibular radiomorphometric indices can be used on panoramic radiographs to evaluate the quantity of mandibular cortical bone in patients using oral anticoagulants.

Investigation of Fractal Dimension Analysis and Radiomorphometric Indices in Children with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) disrupts bone metabolism, leading to slowed bone development, poor bone quality, and osteoporosis. Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine changes in the bones of adolescents with type-1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) using fractal dimension (FD) analysis method and panoramic radiomorphometric indices. Methods: Fractal dimension values and radiomorphometric measurements of 36 children with T1DM and 36 healthy individuals were compared using panoramic radiographs. The panoramic mandibular index (PMI), mental index (MI), mandibular cortical width (MCW), amount of alveolar bone resorption (AABR), antegonial index (AI), and gonial index (GI) were measured. Mandibular cortical index (MCI) was recorded as C1, C2, and C3 classes. Results: For the angulus and corpus regions, the T1DM patient group had lower FD values, and there was a statistically significant difference between the T1DM patient group and the control group (P = 0.003, P = 0.029). Mental index, MCW, and AI values were higher in the control group than in the T1DM patient group and were statistically significant (P = 0.014, P = 0.001, P &lt; 0.001, respectively). Conclusions: In this study examining the mandible in pediatric patients with T1DM using radiomorphometric measurements and fractal analysis method, it can be concluded that T1DM affects bone morphology and trabecular structure

Strut and radio-morphometric analysis of mandibular trabecular structure in pre-and post-menopausal women to aid in the diagnosis of osteoporosis

PurposeThe purpose of the study is to evaluate the mandibular trabecular pattern in pre- and postmenopausal age women. By analysing the strut, fractal, grey level co-occurrence matrix, and radio-morphometric indices in the panoramic radiograph. MethodPanoramic radiographs from 2019 to 2022 were used to assess pre- and postmenopausal women's bone mineral density. A total of 272 panoramic radiographs, which exhibited clear visibility of the mental foramen on both sides without any blurring, motion artefacts, surgical errors, overlapping hyoid bone, or inferior mandibular cortex, were divided into two groups. Group A (136 premenopausal women) and Group B (136 postmenopausal women). It is a retrospective study that is non-interventional/observational in design. Strut features, fractal dimensions, a grey-level co-occurrence matrix, and radio morphometric indices were used to investigate bone texture in an image processing program. The mean difference between group variables was calculated using an independent sample t-test/unpaired t-test. ResultsPre-menopausal women had a mean age of 38.83 ± 6.01 years, while postmenopausal women had a mean age of 68.26 ± 8.31 In the postmenopausal group Four regions of interest exhibited fractal dimensions with a P value of less than 0.01 and GLCM features including contrast (0.812), correlation (0.230), energy (0.215), and homogeneity (0.322). Strut features of the four regions showed that 15 of 19 characteristics were significantly different. ConclusionOrthopantomogram is useful in screening for osteoporosis. Strut, radio-morphometric indices, and fractal analysis can assess bone texture and quality. Future research incorporating artificial intelligence can revolutionize image analysis and support clinical decision-making.

Application of Orthopantomography in the Analysis of Bone Mineral Density in Patients with Osteogenesis Imperfecta

Osteogenesis imperfecta is a disorder characterized by osteopenia and bone fragility. Considering that orthopantomography is a routine diagnostic test in growing patients, it can be used to analyze bone density in these patients. The study sample consisted of 21 child patients diagnosed with OI, under medical treatment with antiresorptives and for whom orthopantomography was available, analyzed and compared with 20 healthy children. The panoramic radiographs were analyzed and the radiomorphometric indices and fractal dimension were measured after first selecting the areas of interest to be studied. The results showed that fractal dimension of the basal cortical bone was lower in the study group, and MCW was lower in patients with osteogenesis imperfecta. In addition, MCW and fractal dimension were lower with higher number of treatment cycles received. In light of the results obtained, we can conclude that panoramic radiography can be useful in analyzing changes in bone mineral density in these patients throughout the course of treatment.

Relationship between Skeletal Malocclusion and Radiomorphometric Indices of the Mandible in Long Face Patients.

This study aimed to assess the relationship between skeletal malocclusion and radiomorphometric indices of the mandible in long face patients. This cross-sectional study evaluated 174 lateral cephalograms and panoramic radiographs of long face patients between the ages of 17 and 30 presenting at the Orthodontics Department of Qazvin Dental School. The gonial angle, antegonial angle, type of antegonial notch, and depth of antegonial notch were measured bilaterally on panoramic radiographs. The correlation between the radiomorphometric parameters and the type of occlusion was analyzed using one-way ANOVA, independent t-test, Chi-square test, and Fisher's exact test (alpha = 0.05). The mean size of gonial angle was significantly different among the three classes of occlusion (p = 0.046), while the difference was not significant regarding the antegonial angle size and antegonial notch depth (p > 0.05). An independent t-test showed that the mean sizes of gonial angle (p = 0.026) and antegonial angle (p = 0.036), and the antegonial notch depth (p = 0.046) in males, were significantly greater than the values in females. According to the Chi-square and Fisher's exact test, the right antegonial notch type was significantly different among the three classes of malocclusion (p = 0.006), while this difference was not significant in the left side (p = 0.318). The right antegonial notch type II was more common in males, while the right antegonial notch type I was more common in females (p = 0.014). According to the results, the indices of gonial angle and type of antegonial notch can be clinically useful for predicting the growth rate of the mandible and designing the appropriate treatment in long face patients.

Changes in mandibular radiomorphometric indices in osteoporosis patients treated with denosumab: a retrospective case-control study

BackgroundRadiomorphometric indices measured on Dental Panoramic Radiography (DPR) can reflect Bone Mineral Density (BMD). The aim of our study is to evaluate changes in DPR radiographic markers in patients undergoing antiresorptive therapy with denosumab and correlate them to BMD and serum bone turnover markers (BTM).MethodsWe evaluated two radiomorphometric indices: Mandibular Cortical Width (MCW) and Panoramic Mandibular Index (PMI), in patients undergoing antiresorptive therapy with denosumab at T0 (before starting the therapy) and at T1 (after 12 months), comparing results with a control group of healthy patients who performed two DPRs at a one-year time distance. Correlation analysis was performed in the denosumab group, as well as ROC curves were obtained for both indices.ResultsThe study included 18 patients and 21 controls according to specific inclusion and exclusion criteria, matched by gender and age. Both MCW and PMI were significantly lower at T0 in the denosumab group, consistently with lower BMD. MCW showed significant correlation with femoral and lumbar DEXA and was significantly lower in patients with osteoporosis compared to osteopenia. Only PMI index increased significantly in the denosumab group from T0 to T1. After one year (T1), there weren’t any differences between patients and controls for both indices. No significant correlations were found with BTMs. Sensitivity and specificity for MCW and PMI were also calculated.ConclusionsOur results show how CMW shows sufficient sensitivity and specificity to be used as a radiographic marker to screen and intercept patients with osteoporosis. PMI seems to be able to reflect changes in response to antiresorptive therapy with denosumab. Further studies are needed to confirm our hypothesis.

The effect of Winter’s red line, angle of impaction, and radio-morphometric indices on surgical difficulty of impacted mandibular third molar: a prospective observational study

The effect of Winter’s red line, angle of impaction, and radio-morphometric indices on surgical difficulty of impacted mandibular third molar: a prospective observational study

Análise do dimorfismo sexual através de índices radiomorfométricos em radiografias panorâmicas

ABSTRACT Sex determination plays a crucial role in the post-mortem identification of human remains. One effective approach for obtaining sex-related data is to use measurements of anatomical structures such as the mandible. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of mandibular radiomorphometric indices from panoramic radiographs (PRs) for the identification of sexual dimorphism. The study sample included 300 PRs of individuals aged 51 to 80 years from the northeastern region of Brazil. Four linear measures and three numerical indices were analyzed with Inkscape® version 1.0.1 for Windows by two blinded evaluators. After statistical analysis, the results showed that the linear measurements obtained from PRs are a reliable method for sex identification. However, the calculated indices of these measurements exhibited lower efficacy for the same purpose. Therefore, PRs proved to be a valuable method for sexual identification through mandibular assessment.

Fractal analysis and radiomorphometric indices: comparison of mandibular bone structure changes on digital panoramic radiographs of smokers

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to assess how smoking affected the mandibular bone structure using a variety of radiomorphometric indices and fractal dimension (FD) analysis.&#x0D; &#x0D; Materials and methods: 56 patients (28 smokers and 28 non-smokers) were included in this retrospective study. In the trabecular bone of the mandible, eight areas of interest of 45x45 pixels were chosen, and fractal dimension analysis was carried out. All digital panoramic radiographs were used to measure the mandibular index and mandibular cortical width. All values were compared between groups. Utilizing the Shapiro-Wilk and Mann-Whitney U tests, collected data were evaluated.&#x0D; &#x0D; Results: There was a statistically significant difference between the groups in ROI4 and ROI8, but not in the mean FD values of ROI1, ROI2, ROI3, ROI5, ROI6 and ROI7 in the mandibular trabecular bone. No statistically significant differences between groups were seen for PMI and MCW measures (p &gt; .05). The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) values for the FD, PMI and MCW measurements were excellent.&#x0D; &#x0D; Conclusion: The trabecular bone structures of the anterior of the mental foramen and the condyle were different in smokers. There was no difference in cortical bone structures.

Is there a Correlation between Radiographic Absorptiometry of the Phalanges of the Hand and Radiomorphometric Indices of the Mandible?

Objectives: The aim of this study was to correlate the mandibular bone quality through radiomorphometric indices in panoramic radiograph with bone quality of non-dominant hand phalanges by radiographic absorptiometry phalanx (RA). Methods: The sample consisted of 167 patients (128 women and 39 men) with a mean age of 52.09 (± 11.5) divided into four groups according to RA test: (A) 92; (B) 36; (C) 25 and (D) with 14.9. A panoramic radiograph was taken of each patient and one observer made measurements of cortical thickness at the mental foramen (mental index, MI) and gonion (goniac index, GI) regions and fractal dimension (FD) analyze in mandibular ramus. In phalangeal radiograph was made measurements of cortical thickness at the intermediate (medial phalange index, MPI) and proximal (proximal phalange index, PPI) phalangeal. Results: The results showed correlation (p < 0.00037) between Klemetti index with RA. Variance analysis MI, GI, MPI, PPI shown significant differences (p < 0.05) between the two groups (normal and low bone mineral density - BMD). Area under the ROC curve was 0.74 (sensitivity = 97.4%, specificity = 78%) for MI, 0.79 (sensitivity = 94, specificity = 54%) for GI, 0.77 (sensitivity = 94.8%, specificity = 64%) for MPI, 0.76 (sensitivity = 93.1%, specificity = 62%) for PPI, 0.71 (sensitivity = 96.5%, specificity = 86%) for FD. Conclusions: Our results suggest that the analysis of radiomorphometric indices showed moderate accuracy for detecting changes in mandibular bone quality according to AR.

Evaluation of six radiomorphometric indices

&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; Purpose: Aging is accompanied by the gradual loss of teeth, which can cause several orofacial changes. This study aimed to compare panoramic radiomorphometric indices between dentate and totally edentulous patients.&#x0D; Materials and Methods: One hundred panoramic radiographs were analyzed to measure six indices using Clinview 9.3 software: the gonial angle (GA), antegonial angle (AGA), condylar height (CH), ramus height (RH), mental index (MI), and mandibular cortical index (MCI). An independent sample t-test and Chi-square was used to compare the means of the measured data between dentate and edentate subjects and genders.&#x0D; Results: In both genders, dentate people had greater left CH (p=0.05) and left GA (p=0.03). Men had greater RH in the dentate and edentate groups (p&lt;0.001). No correlation was found between groups and genders in MCI scores. &#x0D; Conclusion: CH index assessment as the function of the masticatory muscles and GA as residual ridge resorption were decreased in edentulous people. The findings highlight the importance of oral hygiene education and prosthetic rehabilitation of the edentulous.&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D;

Utility of Cone-Beam Computed Tomography in the Detection of Low Bone Mass-A Systematic Review.

Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) is widely used in the preoperative qualitative and quantitative assessment of dental implant sites, offering dimensional accuracy, spatial resolution, gray density, and contrast comparable to those of classical CT scan, yet with disputable ability to determine bone mass density. A systematic review of the literature was performed using the PubMed and SCOPUS databases, with terms referring to low bone mass and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Sixteen studies were included in the review. The results show different perspectives, but the evidence favors the use of CBCT, combined with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry bone density scan (DXA) evaluation, for the assessment of the osteoporosis status of the aging population and, more specifically, in postmenopausal women. Radiographic density (RD) values of the dens and the left part of the first cervical vertebra show the strongest correlation coefficients and the highest sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for predicting osteoporosis (OP) in the lumbar vertebrae and the femoral neck. Our review suggests the potential of CBCT as a screening tool for patients with low bone mass using different radiomorphometric indices. Linear measurements of the inferior mandibular cortex were lower in osteoporotic individuals, indicating the perspective of CBCT also as a diagnostic tool for this disease.

Bruksizmli Hastaların Radyograflarında Hounsfield Birim Değeri ve Radyomorfometrik İndekslerinin Değerlendirilmesi

Background: The aim of this retrospective study is to evaluate the effects of bruxism on the mandibular bone using radiomorphometric indices and Hounsfield unit (HU) value on digital panoramic radiography (DPR). Materials and Methods: Panoramic radiographs of 120 patients, 60 with bruxer and 60 without (control), were analyzed. Mental index (MI), panoramic mandibular index (PMI), antegonial index (AI), gonial index (GI), antegonial notch depth (AND) and mandibular cortical index (MCI) were measured bilaterally in DPR. Gray values of the cancellous bone and cortical bone at predetermined landmarks in the mandible were measured using the HU value on the DPR. Results: MI was found to be higher and statistically significant in bruxers compared to the control group (p&amp;lt;0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between the bruxism group and the control group in terms of AI, GI and MCI (p&amp;gt;0.05). While there was a significant difference in HU value in the cancellous bone in the bruxism group and the control group (p&amp;lt;0.05), there was no statistically significant difference in HU values between the two groups in the cortical bone (p&amp;gt;0.05). Conclusions: MI and AND measurements can be used in the diagnosis or follow-up of bruxism. There is no diffe-rence in mandibular cortical bone height in patients with and without bruxism according to AI, GI, and MCI. The mean PMI value measured on the left side differs between the groups. In bruxism patients, increased density in the mandibular cancellous bone, is greater and significantly different from the increase in cortical bone.

Five-year change of panoramic radiomorphometric indices and fractal dimension values in type 2 diabetes patients.

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease characterized by dysregulation of glucose metabolism, with characteristic long-term complications accompanied by changes in bone quality. The purpose of this study is to compare the results with a control group by performing radiomorphometric analyses on panoramic radiographs obtained 5years apart to examine changes in the mandibular bone cortex and microstructures of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. Two panoramic radiographs that were taken 5years (mean 5.26 ± 0.134) apart from 52 patients with T2DM (n:26) and a control group (n:26) were used. A total of 104 images were evaluated. Analyses were done from the condyle (FD1), angulus (FD2), distal second premolar apex (FD3), and anterior to the mental foramen (FD4) for fractal dimension (FD) in the mandible. Symphysis index (SI), anterior index (AI), molar index (MI), posterior index (PI), and panoramic mandibular index (PMI) measurements were taken for cortical analysis. Three-way ANOVA, three-way robust ANOVA, two-way ANOVA, and two-way robust ANOVA tests were used for statistical analysis (p < 0.05). After a 5-year period, there was a significant decrease in all FD measures of the mandible in both T2DM and control groups (p < 0.05). This resulted in a statistical difference in the main effect of time. After a 5-year period, no significant difference in mandibular cortical measures was identified between the T2DM and control groups (p > 0.05). According to panoramic radiography, the mandibular trabecular structure deteriorated after 5years, whereas cortical values remained the same. It concluded that T2DM had no effect on these results.

Evaluation of mandibular trabecular and cortical bone by fractal analysis and radiomorphometric indices in bruxist and non-bruxist patients

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of bruxism on the cortical and trabecular bone of the mandible using the radiomorphometric indexes and fractal analysis (FA) additionally to examine the efficiency of FA as diagnostic test for bruxism.MethodsEvaluation was performed on panoramic radiographs of 94 bruxists and 94 non-bruxist individuals with the ImageJ program. Cortical bone was assessed with mandibular cortical index, mental index, and panoramic mental index. Trabecular bone in the condyle, gonial, and corpus region was evaluated by FA. An independent sample t and Mann-Whitney-U tests and Pearson and Spearman rank correlations were conducted for statistical analysis.ResultsA total of 188 participants, 112 female, and 76 male, were included in the study. The sample age ranged from 18 to 43, with a mean of 27.55 (± 7.022) years. FA values of the angulus were significantly higher than those of the condyle and corpus, and the mean of the sample for the angulus, condyle, and corpus, respectively, were; 1.36 (± 10), 1.10 (± 0.9), 1.13 (± 0.8). There was a positive correlation between FA of the mandibular corpus and age (r = .163, p = .025). Females’ values were smaller than males’ in the FAs of three regions, and significant differences were found in FA of the condyle and angulus of the mandible, MCI, and PMI according to gender. There was no statistically significant difference between bruxist and non-bruxist patients in term of FAs of three regions, MCI, MI, and PMI values (p > .05).ConclusionsFA of the condyle and angulus of the mandible, MCI, and PMI are significantly affected by gender. However bruxism doesn’t cause a significant change in the fractal dimensions of the bone in the mandible and doesn’t change substantially MCI, MI, and PMI.

Relationship of Age, Gender, and Height with the Anthropometric Radiographic Indices of the Mandible in 20-50-year-olds of Iranian Race

Background: The mandibular bone, similar to other bones in the human body, has a number of effective anatomical features that the use of radiographic images of these features can be effective in various findings, such as forensic dentistry. The present study aimed to estimate age, gender, and height by measuring the anthropometric radiographic indices of the mandible in 20-50-year-olds of Iranian race. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 100 people (50 female and 50 male) who were referred to the Orthodontics Department of Ilham Dental School in 2018. The required information was extracted and recorded from patients' panoramic radiographs. Statistical analysis was performed using descriptive statistics, t-test, and SPSS (version 22) software. Results: The results of this study showed no significant difference between any of the studied variables with age (P&gt;0.05). However, a significant difference was observed between mandibular width, mandibular height, gonial angle, mandibular canal, and the superior-inferior position of the mandibular foramen with gender and height (P&lt;0.05). Moreover, no significant difference was found between the location of the mental foramen and the posterior and anterior position of the mandibular foramen with height (P&gt;0.05). In addition, although no significant difference was seen between the antegonial angle and gender, the antegonial angle had a significant relationship with height (P&lt;0.04). Conclusion: There is a significant relationship between skeletal variables and gender and height, and it may be possible to determine the gender and height of individuals by evaluating radiomorphometric indices.

Evaluation of mandibular cortical and trabecular radiomorphometry in familial Mediterranean fever patients

The objective of this retrospective study was to evaluate the mandibular cortical and trabecular morphology and microarchitecture of patients with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) and compare them to those of healthy individuals by examining radiomorphometric indices on panoramic radiographs. We examined a group of 56 FMF patients aged 5 to 71 years and an age- and sex-matched control group of individuals with no systemic diseases. We classified the FMF and control groups according to age and sex and the FMF group according to colchicine use. We evaluated the quantitative radiomorphometic indices of gonial index, antegonial index, molar cortical thickness, mental index, panoramic mandibular index, and lacunarity, and the qualitative mandibular cortical index on all panoramic radiographs and performed between and within group analysis. Mean gonial index, antegonial index, and molar cortical thickness values of the FMF group were significantly smaller than those of the control group. Significantly fewer patients in the FMF group were classified as mandibular cortical index type 1 compared to the control group. There were no significant differences in quantitative index values according to colchicine use in the FMF group or regarding the categorical parameters of age, sex, and mandibular cortical index classification. Radiomorphometric values of the mandibular basal cortex posterior to the mental foramen differ significantly in FMF patients compared to healthy counterparts. Dentists should note mandibular morphologic changes indicative of low bone density when examining panoramic images of patients with this disease.