Abstract
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.