Radiomorphometric Evaluation of Orbit and Inter-Orbital Distance for Gender Determination

Introduction: Anthropometry deals with obtainingmeasurements of anatomical structures to assist in identifyingthe age, stature, gender and several aspects related to individualor ethnic group. Orbital measurements and inter-orbitaldistance are one of the craniofacial parameters that couldbe used in gender identification in terms of anthropologicalstudies. Study aimed to measure the width of the orbitalapertures on Postero-anterior skull radiographic view, tomeasure the height of the orbital apertures on Postero-anteriorskull radiographic view, to measure the interorbital distanceon Postero-anterior skull radiographic view and to determinegender from radiomorphometric evaluation of orbit and interorbital distanceMaterial and Methods: In this study, a total of 100retrospective postero-anterior radiographs were selected fromdepartment’s collection using KODAK-8000 panoramic andcephalometric system following radiation protection protocol.Subjects were in the age range of 18 to 50 years. The maximumwidth and height of orbit and inter-orbital distance of theorbits were measured using masterveiw software (Version4.5.1). The data obtained was analyzed by using student“t” test.Results: The mean orbital width in males was 4.91 andfemales was 4.97. The observed mean difference wasstatistically significant (P-0.005). The mean orbital height inmales was 4.96 and females was 4.86. The observed meandifference was statistically significant (P-0.001) The meaninter-orbital distance in males was 3.37 and females was 3.00.The observed mean difference was statistically significant(P-<0.001)Conclusion: Hence we conclude that orbit and inter-orbitaldistance can be used in determining the gender.

Mandibular radiomorphometric assessment of bone mineral density in survivors of pediatric hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation

OBJECTIVE: Hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT) childhood survivors of hematologic malignancies are prone to develop late osteopenia and osteoporosis. The purpose of this retrospective study was to quantitatively and qualitatively assess bone mineral density (BMD) in HSCT childhood survivors and to compare the effectiveness of both qualitative and quantitative assessment methods. METHODS: DESIGN BMD assessment using panoramic radiographs of childhood HSCT survivors aged 3.69-18.88 years using two radiomorphometric indexes. Case-control double-blinded comparison of panoramic radiographic images from childhood HSCT survivors and age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Quantitative assessment was performed by measuring the cortical bone width bilaterally at the mental foramen level. Qualitative assessment was performed using the mandibular cortical index bilaterally on all panoramic images. RESULTS: Radiographs were taken 6.59-83.95 months after bone marrow transplantation [median±SD=25.92±24.9 months]. Fifty-two panoramic radiographic images were analyzed: 21 from HSCT survivors and 31 from healthy controls aged 3.69-25.1 years [mean±SD=11.89±5.28 years]. The mandibular cortical bone width was 17% smaller in childhood HSCT survivors than in healthy controls (case group: 2.420, control group: 3.307; p=0.00617). Qualitative analysis revealed an increased frequency of severe mandibular cortical erosion in childhood HSCT survivors, although no significant difference was observed (case group: 1.540, control group: 1.490; p=0.32). The interobserver agreement was 85% (Kappa index). CONCLUSIONS: HSCT childhood survivors exhibit quantitative and qualitative mandibular bone impairments. Further studies are needed to establish an association between mandibular cortical bone impairment and osteoporosis.

Panoramic mandibular index: Effect of age and gender related variations in the North-Indian population.

Background: Panoramic Mandibular Index (PMI) is a quantitative radiomorphometric index of the mandible. It is an important indicator of mandibular bone mineral density. Objectives: To examine the age and gender related variations associated with the panoramic mandibular index and their effect in a group of North-Indian population of Haryana. Methods: 60 adult human orthopantomographs were evaluated and divided into six age groups (35-65 years) with equal number of males and females. Panoramic mandibular index was measured bilaterally on every radiograph. The measurements were analyzed for interactions with age and sex, using SPSS (Stastistical Package for Social Studies) software version no. 18. The tests employed were Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney and the unpaired T-test. Results: The male mean panoramic mandibular index values ranged from 0.3 ± 0.025 to 0.381 ± 0.019, whereas the female mean panoramic mandibular values ranged from 0.286 ± 0.306 to 0.36 ± 0.007. Panoramic mandibular index showed significant negative correlation with age in both the sexes. Inter-age group comparisons showed statistically significant differences between the youngest and eldest age-groups in both the genders. Female values were lower than male values in all age groups, but sexual dimorphism was not observed. Conclusion: Panoramic mandibular index was influenced significantly by the variations in age but minimally by the gender related variations.

Influence of age on the radiomorphometric indices of the gonial region of mandible in North- Indian population.

Background: The gonial region of mandible plays a significant role in the determination of mandibular basal bone morphology. Gonial Angle is important for maintenance of a harmonius facial profile whereas Gonial Index is an indicator of the bone quality of the mandibular gonial region. Objectives: To examine the influence of age on two quantitative radiomorphometric indices of mandible, Gonial Angle (GA) and Gonial Index (GI) in a group of North-Indian population. Material and Methods: 60 adult human orthopantomographs were evaluated and divided into six age groups (35-65 years) with equal number of cases. Gonial Angle and Gonial Index were measured bilaterally on each radiograph. The measurements were analyzed for interactions with age and other interrelationships between the indices. The data obtained was subjected to statistical analysis using SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Studies) software version No. 18 and Mann- Whitney tests were used for various comparisons. Results: Gonial angle showed a significant positive correlation with age as the mean gonial angle values showed an increase with increasing age. Whereas in sharp contrast to this, gonial index showed no correlation with age as the mean gonial index values showed no pattern of either increase or decrease with increase in age. The correlation between gonial angle and gonial index was statistically insignificant (p>0.05). Conclusion: Age had a significant influence on the angular radiomorphometric index i.e. gonial angle but the linear radiomorphometric index i.e. gonial index remained independent of age.