Panoramic radiomorphometric indices as reliable parameters in predicting osteoporosis.

BACKGROUND The purpose was to evaluate the significance of panoramic radiomorphometric indices (mandibular cortical index [MCI], mental index [MI] and panoramic mandibular index [PMI]) as useful tools for identifying osteoporosis. METHODS One hundred healthy women aged ≥ 30 years were included. Digital panoramic images and bone mineral density (BMD) of the lumbar spines were recorded. Radiomorphometric indices (MCI, MI and PMI) were measured and categorized. RESULTS Interobserver agreements were kappa = 0.922 for the MCI and alpha = 0.902 and 0.702 for the PMI and MI, respectively. The indices MI, PMI and BMD showed a statistically significant positive correlation with the t score (r = 0.47, 0.36 and 0.96, respectively). The MI showed a statistically significant positive correlation with the PMI (r = 0.72). Sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy of the MI at a cutoff point of 4.5 mm were 76.9%, 54.1% and 63%, respectively, whereas for the MCI were 66.7%, 75.4% and 72%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Panoramic indices (MI, PMI and MCI) were positively correlated with the t score and BMD of the lumbar spines. The MCI was found to be the most reproducible index.