Usefulness of panoramic radiography in the diagnosis of osteoporosis / 대한구강악안면방사선학회지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To assess the possibility of using panoramic indices as an indicator of jaw osteoporosis. METHODS: Mandibular cortical width (MCW), degree of mandibular alveolar bone resorption (ABR) and morphology of mandibular inferior cortex (MIC) on panoramic radiograph were used as panoramic indices. These panoramic indices were compared with bone mineral density (BMD) of lumbar (L1-L4) and femoral neck measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. We also compared MCW and ABR of young men with those of postmenopausal women. RESULTS: There was a significant correlation between ABR and BMD of lumbar and femoral neck. And also significant correlation between MIC and BMD of lumbar and femoral neck. ANOVA test of BMD of lumbar and femoral neck showed significant differences according to morphologic classification of inferior cortex. There was significant difference in MCW and ABR between young men and postmenopausal women. CONCLUSION: Our results suggested that ABR and MIC on panoramic radiograph could be reliable in screening of osteoporosis.