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Updated: Jan 16, 2026
Scanning Skeletal Remains for Bone Mineral Density in Forensic Contexts
Published on: January 29, 2018
Radiomorphometric indices and bone findings on panoramic images of childhood cancer survivors
Ana Maria Ipólito Barros1, Ana Paula Veras Sobral2, Luiz Pedro Mendes de Azevedo3
1Faculty of Dentistry of Pernambuco, University of Pernambuco, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.
Purpose:
The aim of this study was to assess radiomorphometric indices in panoramic radiographs of pediatric cancer survivors.
Materials And Methods:
This population-based case-control study included 31 patients who were 18 years or older at the time of the radiograph and had a history of cancer diagnosed during childhood or adolescence (between 0 and 19 years of age), treated with chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. The radiomorphometric indices mandibular cortical width (MCW) and mandibular cortical index (MCI) were assessed in panoramic radiographs to determine whether there was evidence of a reduction in bone mineral density (BMD). A 95% confidence level (P<0.05) was used for all statistical tests.
Results:
In the MCW analysis, the case group showed a variation between 2.2 mm and 4.6 mm, while the control group showed a variation between 2.9 mm and 5.2 mm (P<0.05). For MCI, most (54.8%) of the images in the case group were classified as C2, and 16.1% as C3, whereas none in the control group were classified as C3, demonstrating a statistically significant difference (P<0. 05).
Conclusion:
Childhood cancer survivors are at an increased risk of long-term reduction in BMD, and panoramic radiomorphometric indices represent an accessible and reliable screening tool for predicting this risk.
