Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is a familial hemoglobinopathy. There are several radiographic findings regarding both SCA and onset of osteomyelitis. Cone Beam CT examinations of 10 patients were evaluated retrospectively. The DICOM data from CBCT examinations were transferred to a 3rd party software in order to evaluate the mandibular bone changes in SCA patients. Following parameters were evaluated; Bone surface density, Trabecular thickness, Trabecular separation, Trabecular number, Fractal dimension, Number of closed pores, Volume of closed pores, Surface of closed pores, Closed porosity, Volume of open pore space, Open porosity, Total volume of pore space, Total porosity. The mean of FD values was found to significantly lower than healthy individuals. Statistical analysis of FD values barely reached to significance between SCA patients and the healthy individuals (p<0,05). It was also found that trabecular thickness was also significantly higher than healthy patients (p<0,05). Our findings revealed decreased FD with SCA, further studies should be done with larger groups in order to define optimal parameters for SCA patients in mandible.
Keywords: Anatomy, Digital image analysis, Radiology, Sickle Cell Anemia
