[Short run length of pixels in radiotexture of jaw alveolar ridge in human].
The real bone structure can be completely described by histomorphometric analysis; however, it needs bone biopsy. The development of imaging techniques and mathematical methods of texture parameters extraction from radiographs make it possible to reveal the characteristic bone features in non-invasive manner. The aim of this study was to formulate a mathematical description of image texture for finding out whether there exist any structural differences (run-length matrix) in jaw bone depended on gender. Parameters derived from a run-length matrix are used to characterize the texture in quantity.


METHODS
319 digital, standardized, intra-oral, plain radiographs of patients qualifying to dental implantations were included into this study. Straight-line series (runs) of pixels of similar gray level were searched and analyzed in radiographs.


RESULTS
Exploring the local bone structure at particular fragments of the jaws, in females significantly more frequent the presence of short series of pixels in lower alveolar ridge than in upper alveolar ridge are observed. Only later aspects of maxillary alveolar ridge have the radiomicroarchitecture depending on patient's gender in respect to the investigated feature. In females, much more number of short series of the pixels is revealed at lateral aspect of alveolar ridge of mandible than at frontal aspect.


CONCLUSIONS
Quantitative description of short series of pixels is useful for evaluation of radiotexture in images of alveolar ridge.
Kozakiewicz
Marcin
M
Uniwersytet Medyczny w Lodzi, Katedra Chirurgii, Klinika Chirurgii Czaszkowo-Szczekowo-Twarzowej i Onkologicznej. mm_kk@toya.net.pl
Stefańczyk
Milena
M
Materka
Andrzej
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000539:Alveolar Process / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008954:Models, Biological; D010780:Photogrammetry; D011859:Radiography; D012737:Sex Factors