Panoramic radiomorphometry and vertebral fractures in Spanish postmenopausal women

Objective

To evaluate the relationship between panoramic radiomorphometric indexes, and the presence of osteoporotic fractures in a Spanish postmenopausal women.

Methods

A sample of 120 women (60 with fragility spine fractures and 60 healthy), aged 55–70 years, with fragility spine fractures, were included in this cross-sectional study that was conducted from 2008 to 2011. All the women were referred to undergo a radiological spine examination, spinal densitometry and a panoramic radiograph for assessing osteoporosis using 3 radiomorphometric indexes: Panoramic Mandibular Index (PMI), Mental Index (MI) and Mandibular Cortical Index (MCI). According to mandibular cortical shape, in MCI, three groups were defined: C3 (osteoporosis), C2 (osteopenia), C1 (health).

Results

Significant differences were found between all the MCI groups due to their composition between fractures and non-fractures. C1 group (healthy) has less fractures women than C2 (Bonferroni p < 0.001), C1 has less fractures than C3 (Bonferroni p < 0.001) and finally, C2 has less fractures than C3 (Bonferroni p < 0.006). PMI and MI values were significantly lower in cases than in controls (U Mann–Whitney p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Panoramic radiomorphometrics mandibular indexes such as MCI, PMI, and MI, may be useful for identifying the population at higher risk for fracture. The relationship between panoramic index and osteoporosis remains unclear and further studies using fragility fracture as a real marker of osteoporosis are warranted to clarify the exact role and effect of one condition on the other and the corresponding clinical implications.