title: Feasibility of cone beam computed tomography radiomorphometric analysis and fractal dimension in assessment of postmenopausal osteoporosis in correlation with dual X-ray absorptiometry.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the present study was to assess the feasibility of using mandibular CBCT radiomorphometric indices and box-counting fractal dimension (FD) to detect osteoporosis in post-menopausal females, compare them with the healthy control group and to correlate the findings with the bone mineral density measured by dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA).
  
  
  METHODS
  This study consisted of 50 post-menopausal females, with age ranging from 55 to 70 years. Based on their DXA results, they were classified into osteoporotic and control groups. Mandibular CBCT radiomorphomertic indices and FD analysis were measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant differences were found for the CT cortical index scores (CTCI), CT mental index (CTMI) and CT mandibular index (CTI) between the control and osteoporotic groups. The control group showed higher mean values than the osteoporotic group. For FD values, no significant differences were found between the two groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CBCT radiomorphometric indices could be used as an adjuvant tool to refer patients at risk of osteoporosis for further assessment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine, Periodontology, Diagnosis and Oral Radiology, Faculty of Dentistry, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.
authors.forename: Raghdaa A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Mostafa
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine, Periodontology, Diagnosis and Oral Radiology, Faculty of Dentistry, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.
authors.forename: Eman A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Arnout
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine, Periodontology, Diagnosis and Oral Radiology, Faculty of Dentistry, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.
authors.forename: Mona M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Abo El-Fotouh
mesh_terms: D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon / Q000379:methods*; D000368:Aged; D015519:Bone Density / Q000502:physiology; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography / Q000379:methods*; D000071538:Cortical Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D017709:Fractals; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D008334:Mandible / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*
keywords: CBCT; fractal dimension; osteoporosis; radiomorphometric indices