Bone mineral density and mandibular osteoporotic alterations in panoramic radiographs: Correlation by peripheral bone densitometry in men

Abstract

Mandibular cortical index has proven to be inversely correlated to bone densitometry; however, trabecular bone pattern has not been widely studied. Thus, the main objectives of this study were: (1) to analyze the correlations between three different sites of peripheral dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry with the mandibular cortical index and the trabecular bone pattern classification; (2) to assess the correlation between the mandibular cortical index and the trabecular bone pattern; (3) to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the mandibular cortical index and the trabecular bone pattern using panoramic radiographs in a sample of Brazilian men. Additionally, peripheral dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry findings in men were described. Materials and Methods: There are about 44 men who had previously undergone panoramic radiography and bone densitometry were evaluated. Mandibular cortical index and trabecular bone pattern classifications were performed. The median T-scores of the men were analyzed. Spearman's test was performed to assess correlations. Results: An inverse correlation was found between mandibular cortical index and proximal bone densitometry site. No correlation was found between mandibular cortical index and trabecular bone pattern or between peripheral densitometry and trabecular bone pattern. Greater accuracy was observed in mandibular cortical index when compared to trabecular bone pattern. Mandibular cortical index evaluations by panoramic radiographs are a useful screening tool for low bone mineral density, but trabecular bone pattern cannot be applied to screen patients for osteoporosis risk. Mandibular cortical index has an inverse correlation with proximal sites of forearm densitometry.