Malignant odontogenic tumors. A report of a series of 30 cases and review of the literature.

Malignant odontogenic tumors are rare entities and can arise de novo or from malignant transformation of pre-existing lesions. The aim of the present study was to report 30 cases of malignant odontogenic tumors diagnosed at a single diagnostic center over a 38-year period. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All cases of malignant odontogenic tumors diagnosed between 1980 and 2018 were retrieved from the files of the School of Dentistry, University of Buenos Aires; their frequency and clinical, radiographic, and histopathological features were analyzed. The obtained data were compared with the information reported in the literature. RESULTS: Malignant odontogenic tumors accounted for 2 % of odontogenic tumors and 0.05 % of all oral-maxillofacial diseases. Mean age was 43 years (8 to 87 years). No differences in sex distribution were observed. The most frequent location was the mandible, mostly the posterior mandibular body and the ramus. Odontogenic carcinomas were the most frequent tumors, and primary intraosseous carcinomas were the most common in this group. CONCLUSIONS: This is the largest case series of malignant odontogenic tumors diagnosed at a single center reported in the literature to date. Diagnosis of these tumors is challenging based on their rarity and complexity and relies on careful analysis of the histopathological, clinical, and radiographic features.

Titanium dental implant-related pathologies: A retrospective histopathological study.

OBJECTIVES: To perform a retrospective, descriptive, histopathological study of peri-implant tissue pathologies associated with titanium dental implants (TDI), and to evaluate the presence of metallic particles in samples from a single diagnostic center. METHODS: Sixty-eight cases of TDI-associated lesions were retrieved from the Surgical Pathology Laboratory archives, School of Dentistry, University of Buenos Aires (UBA) (1990-2018). The study included re-examining the histopathological features of the biopsy samples, analyzing the inflammatory infiltrate, and examining the samples to detect metallic particles whose chemical composition was determined spectrophotometrically (EDS). Available clinical and radiographic data were also reviewed. RESULTS: The retrieved cases ranged from lesions of inflammatory origin to neoplastic lesions. Metallic particles were observed in 36 cases (52.9%), all of which showed inflammation. Particle length ranged from 2 to 85µm. EDS analysis of the particles/deposits observed in the tissues showed the presence of aluminum, titanium, iron, and nickel, among other elements. CONCLUSIONS: A significant number of TDI-associated lesions, including cases not reported to date and diagnosed at a single diagnostic center, are shown here. Cases showing particles exhibited an inflammatory response, irrespective of the histopathological diagnosis. The role of metallic particles in the development of TDI-associated lesion is yet to be established.

Quantitative analysis of KLF4 and SOX2 expression in oral carcinomas reveals independent association with oral tongue subsite location and histological grade.

BACKGROUND: Stemness factors associated with tumorigenesis in different types of cancers have not been specifically studied in oral tongue SCC (OTSSC). Here, we aimed to quantify expression levels and distribution of KLF4 and SOX2, two relevant stemness factors, in oral SCC including OTSCC samples from different subsites. METHODS AND RESULTS: We determined KLF4 and SOX2 expression levels by immunostaining 35 biopsies of OSCC. Stained wholeslide images were digitized and subjected to automatic cell detection and unbiased quantification using Qupath software. We found statistically significant reduction in KLF4 positive cells density (p= 0.024), and fraction (p= 0.022) in OTSCC from tongue borders compared with other tongue subsites. Instead, quantitative SOX2 analysis did not show differences in expression levels between OTSCC from the borders versus OTSCC developed in others subsites. Notably SOX2 expression was revealed increased in moderately and poorly differentiated OSCC compared with well differentiated ones (positive cells density p= 0.025, fraction p= 0.006). No significant correlation between KLF4 and SOX2 expression was observed, neither in OSCC nor in OTSCC. CONCLUSIONS: KLF4 and SOX2 exhibit opposite expression profiles regarding subsite localization and differentiation level in OSCC. Our study prompts future OTSCC prospective studies looking for clinical prognosis to incorporate detailed subsite information in the analysis.

Incidencia de patologías bucomaxilares en un período de aislamiento social preventivo y obligatorio de la pandemia COVID-19 / Incidence of buccomaxillofacial pathologies in a period of preventive and mandatory social isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic

La urgencia en la práctica odontológica incluye no solo la atención de pacientes con dolor e infección, sino también la atención de pacientes que presentan patologías con presunción diagnóstica de agresividad y/o malignidad. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar la incidencia de las patologías bucomaxilares biopsiadas en el Servicio de Urgencias y Orientación de Pacientes (SUyOP), y diagnosticadas en el Laboratorio de Patología Quirúrgica de la Cátedra de Anatomía Patológica (LPQ-CAP) de la Facultad de Odontología de la Universidad de Buenos Aires (FOUBA), en un período del Aislamiento Social Preventivo y Obligatorio de la pandemia COVID-19. Se realizó un estudio observacional, descriptivo y retrospectivo de pacientes que se presentaron para la atención odontológica en el período de tiempo comprendido entre el 20 de marzo al 21 de junio de 2020. Se registraron los pacientes que presentaron lesiones bucales con indicación de biopsia. Del total de pacientes evaluados (4854), 48 presentaron patologías con presunción diagnóstica de agresividad y/o malignidad. Las patologías más frecuentes fueron las neoplasias malignas (21 casos), siendo la entidad prevalente el carcinoma de células escamosas. Para el LPQ-CAP, las muestras biópsicas remitidas por el SUyOP representaron el 44% del total de las muestras recibidas. Si bien la incidencia de patologías bucomaxilares biopsiadas y diagnosticadas fue baja (1%) es de destacar que el diagnóstico histopatológico correspondió, en la mayoría de los casos, a patologías neoplásicas. De allí la importancia de la atención de urgencia a pacientes que presentan lesiones con presunción diagnóstica de malignidad/agresividad (AU)

Histopathological features of malignant craniopharyngioma: Case report and literature review.

Malignant transformation in craniopharyngiomas is a very uncommon event and scarcely mentioned in the World Health Organization (WHO) Classification of Tumors of the Central Nervous System (CNS). So far, there are only 34 reported cases. AIMS: We report an additional case in a 63-year-old woman who was diagnosed with craniopharyngioma 47 years ago. We reviewed the literature in order to define the histological features of malignant craniopharyngioma and its overlap with odontogenic tumors. RESULTS: Our case presented morphology of mixed odontogenic ghost cell/ameloblastic carcinoma. Analyzing all reported cases, 18 of them presented malignization as squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), 1 as odontogenic ghost cell carcinoma, 2 as ameloblastic carcinoma, and 10 cases were mentioned just as malignant craniopharyngiomas. CONCLUSION: We concluded that SCC represented only half of the malignant cases, while the morphology of ~ 11% of them was comparable with ameloblastic or odontogenic ghost cell carcinomas and 28% lacked a specific histological diagnosis. Most cases were fatal, which makes it necessary to include the entity of malignant craniopharyngioma in the WHO Classification of Tumors of the CNS as a high-grade tumor defining its histological variability.

Different expression patterns of carbonic anhydrase IX in oral lichen planus and leukoplakia.

Tumor hypoxia is an important indicator of cancer prognosis. Among the different genes that are upregulated by hypoxia is carbonic anhydrase IX, which combines carbon dioxide and water to form bicarbonate and hydrogen. Although expression of this enzyme is very low in normal tissues, carbonic anhydrase IX is overexpressed in several types of cancer. The aim of the present work was to analyze carbonic anhydrase IX expression in the two most frequent potentially malignant oral disorders: oral lichen planus and oral leukoplakia. Immunohistochemical analysis of oral lichen planus and oral leukoplakia biopsies was performed using anticarbonic anhydrase IX antibody. Samples of normal mucosa served as controls. Statistical analysis was performed by Fischer's exact test. The enzyme was detected in the epithelium of both lesions. The staining was more intense in the basal layer and decreased towards the surface in oral lichen planus. Conversely, the most intense reaction was observed in the superficial layers in leukoplakia, and staining intensity decreased towards the basal membrane. No carbonic anhydrase IX expression was seen in normal mucosa samples. Carbon anhydrase IX expression in lichen and leukoplakia epithelia shows that hypoxia plays a role in the pathogenesis of both lesions. The different distribution patterns provides further evidence of the different biological behavior of these two entities, which under certain circumstances can have similar clinical and histological features.

La hipoxia tumoral es un importante indicador de pronóstico en cáncer. Entre los distintos genes que son activados por hipoxia, uno de los principales es la anhidrasa carbónica IX (CAIX), que combina CO2 con H2O para sintetizar HCO3 y H+. Aunque la expresión de esta enzima es muy baja en tejidos normales, se sobreexpresa en varios tipos de cáncer. La finalidad del presente trabajo fue analizar la expresión de CAIX en las dos lesiones orales potencialmente malignas más frecuentes: el liquen plano y la leucoplasia. Se utilizó una técnica inmuno histoquímica con un anticuerpo específico contra CAIX, en biopsias de liquen plano oral y leucoplasia oral. Se utilizaron mucosas normales como controles. Se realizaron análisis estadísticos utilizando test exacto de Fischer. La identificación de la enzima fue positiva en el epitelio de ambas lesiones. En los líquenes la reacción es más intensa en los estratos basales, disminuyendo hacia la superficie. Inversamente, las leucoplasias mostraron marcación más intensa en estratos superficiales, con disminución hacia la membrana basal. Las mucosas normales resultaron negativas. La expresión de CAIX en el epitelio de líquenes y leucoplasias indica que la hipoxia juega algún papel en la patogenia de ambas lesiones. El diferente patrón de distribución es una evidencia más del diferente comportamiento biológico de dos entidades las cuales en ciertas circunstancias pueden manifestar cuadros clínicos e histológicos semejantes.

Different expression patterns of carbonic anhydrase IX in oral lichen planus and leukoplakia

Tumor hypoxia is an important indicator of cancer prognosis. Among the different genes that are upregulated by hypoxia is carbonic anhydrase IX, which combines carbon dioxide and water to form bicarbonate and hydrogen. Although expression of this enzyme is very low in normal tissues, carbonic anhydrase IX is overexpressed in several types of cancer. The aim of the present work was to analyze carbonic anhydrase IX expression in the two most frequent potentially malignant oral disorders: oral lichen planus and oral leukoplakia. Immunohistochemical analysis of oral lichen planus and oral leukoplakia biopsies was performed using anticarbonic anhydrase IX antibody. Samples of normal mucosa served as controls. Statistical analysis was performed by Fischer's exact test. The enzyme was detected in the epithelium of both lesions. The staining was more intense in the basal layer and decreased towards the surface in oral lichen planus. Conversely, the most intense reaction was observed in the superficial layers in leukoplakia, and staining intensity decreased towards the basal membrane. No carbonic anhydrase IX expression was seen in normal mucosa samples. Carbon anhydrase IX expression in lichen and leukoplakia epithelia shows that hypoxia plays a role in the pathogenesis of both lesions. The different distribution patterns provides further evidence of the different biological behavior of these two entities, which under certain circumstances can have similar clinical and histological features (AU)

La hipoxia tumoral es un importante indicador de pronóstico en cáncer. Entre los distintos genes que son activados por hipoxia, uno de los principales es la anhidrasa carbónica IX (CAIX), que combina CO2 con H2O para sintetizar HCO3 y H+. Aunque la expresión de esta enzima es muy baja en tejidos normales, se sobreexpresa en varios tipos de cáncer. La finalidad del presente trabajo fue analizar la expresión de CAIX en las dos lesiones orales potencialmente malignas más frecuentes: el liquen plano y la leucoplasia. Se utilizó una técnica inmuno histoquímica con un anticuerpo específico contra CAIX, en biopsias de liquen plano oral y leucoplasia oral. Se utilizaron mucosas normales como controles. Se realizaron análisis estadísticos utilizando test exacto de Fischer. La identificación de la enzima fue positiva en el epitelio de ambas lesiones. En los líquenes la reacción es más intensa en los estratos basales, disminuyendo hacia la superficie. Inversamente, las leucoplasias mostraron marcación más intensa en estratos superficiales, con disminución hacia la membrana basal. Las mucosas normales resultaron negativas. La expresión de CAIX en el epitelio de líquenes y leucoplasias indica que la hipoxia juega algún papel en la patogenia de ambas lesiones. El diferente patrón de distribución es una evidencia más del diferente comportamiento biológico de dos entidades las cuales en ciertas circunstancias pueden manifestar cuadros clínicos e histológicos semejantes (AU)

Osteosarcoma of the jaw: an analysis of a series of 74 cases.

AIMS: To analyse a series of cases of osteosarcoma of the jaw. METHODS AND RESULTS: The study included 74 cases of osteosarcoma of the jaw. Their clinical, radiographic and histopathological features were analysed, and their frequency with respect to aggressive and malignant pathologies of the jaw was determined. Survival was assessed in 17 cases with available follow-up. Osteosarcoma of the jaw accounted for 10% of primary malignant and aggressive tumours of the jaw, and for 8% of all malignant lesions of the jaw, including metastatic and lymphoproliferative tumours. The mean age was 43 ± 18 years. Radiographic features varied greatly and were non-specific, with a predominance of mixed images. The dominant histological pattern was osteoblastic (48.4%), followed by chondroblastic (37.1%). The survival rate at 5 years was 68%. Females and patients with a predominantly chondroblastic pattern had lower survival rates. CONCLUSIONS: Osteosarcoma of the jaw was the most frequent primary malignant tumour of the jaw. Female gender and a predominantly chondroblastic pattern may be associated with a worse prognosis.

Expression of ezrin and metastatic tumor antigen in osteosarcomas of the jaw.

AIMS AND BACKGROUND: Ezrin is a membrane-cytoskeleton linker protein involved in regulation of the growth and metastatic behavior of cancer cells. Metastatic tumor antigen (MTA) is a potential metastasis-associated protein. The objective of this study was to evaluate the expression of ezrin and MTA and their correlation with clinicopathological features in osteosarcomas of the jaw. METHODS: We analyzed ezrin and MTA protein levels by immunohistochemistry in 31 osteosarcomas of the jaw. RESULTS: The mean age at diagnosis was 39 years and half of the patients were male. The mandible (n = 19) was more frequently involved than the maxilla (n = 12). The predominant histological type was chondroblastic (58.1%) and 24 patients (77.4%) were classified as having a high grade of malignancy. Immunoreactivity for ezrin was identified in 6 of 31 cases (19.4%), while 77.4% displayed expression of MTA. All ezrin-positive patients had high-grade tumors. The high-grade tumors (n = 24) had a higher rate of MTA expression (42.9% vs 87.5%). Expression of ezrin and MTA was not significantly different according to age, sex, tumor site, histological type, and tumor ploidy. Follow-up information was available for 13 patients, with a mean follow-up time of 26.7 months (range, 6-48 months). At the time of last follow-up, 5 (38.5%) patients had died of disease and 8 patients (61.5%) were alive with no evidence of disease. Expression of ezrin and MTA was not significantly different according to the follow-up data. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, high-grade tumors had a higher rate of ezrin and MTA expression. This expression pattern indicates that ezrin and MTA positivity can be additional prognostic markers in osteosarcoma of the jaw.

Evaluation of nucleolar organizer regions in maxillary osteosarcoma.

Maxillary osteosarcomas are a relatively frequent malignant tumor of the oral cavity. Similarly to other skeletal osteosarcomas, they exhibit different cellular differentiation patterns, i.e. chondroblastic, osteoblastic, or fibroblastic. Although their histological features resemble those of osteosarcomas of the long bones, their pattern of evolution usually differs. Morphometric variations in silver stained Nucleolar Organizer Regions (AgNOR) have proved of value to study the biology of several tumors. However, information on the analysis of AgNOR in maxillary tumors is scarce. The aim of the present study was to analyze the variations of different morphological parameters related to AgNOR in a series of 32 cases of maxillary osteosarcoma. In each case we analyzed 100 nuclei corresponding to the prevalent cellular differentiation type, selecting the most aggressive area. We employed software previously developed at our laboratory that yields information on different AgNOR-related parameters. The results were compared with those previously reported in a study on 12 cases of osteosarcoma of long bones. Six cases of oral mucosa squamous cell carcinoma were also included for comparative purposes. Single AgNOR volume proved to be the most discriminatory and informative parameter. The value of single AgNOR volume was considerably lower in mandible osteosarcomas than in osteosarcomas of the upper maxilla (p=0.02). The values were significantly lower in maxillary osteosarcomas than in long bone osteosarcomas and in oral carcinomas. This finding would suggest a slower rate of cell activity in maxillary osteosarcomas, associated in turn to its known lower degree of aggressiveness. The present results suggest that the analysis of AgNOR is a valuable and easily applicable marker to determine the degree of malignancy and biology of maxillary osteosarcomas.

Evaluation of nucleolar organizer regions in maxillary osteosarcoma

Maxillary osteosarcomas are a relatively frequent malignant tumor of the oral cavity. Similarly to other skeletal osteosarcomas, they exhibit different cellular differentiation patterns, i.e. chondroblastic, osteoblastic, or fibroblastic. Although their histological features resemble those of osteosarcomas of the long bones, their pattern of evolution usually differs. Morphometric variations in silver stained Nucleolar Organizer Regions (AgNOR) have proved of value to study the biology of several tumors. However, information on the analysis of AgNOR in maxillary tumors is scarce. The aim of the present study was to analyze the variations of different morphological parameters related to AgNOR in a series of 32 cases of maxillary osteosarcoma. In each case we analyzed 100 nuclei corresponding to the prevalent cellular differentiation type, selecting the most aggressive area. We employed software previously developed at our laboratory that yields information on different AgNOR-related parameters. The results were compared with those previously reported in a study on 12 cases of osteosarcoma of long bones. Six cases of oral mucosa squamous cell carcinoma were also included for comparative purposes. Single AgNOR volume proved to be the most discriminatory and informative parameter. The value of single AgNOR volume was considerably lower in mandible osteosarcomas than in osteosarcomas of the upper maxilla (p=0.02). The values were significantly lower in maxillary osteosarcomas than in long bone osteosarcomas and in oral carcinomas. This finding would suggest a slower rate of cell activity in maxillary osteosarcomas, associated in turn to its known lower degree of aggressiveness. The present results suggest that the analysis of AgNOR is a valuable and easily applicable marker to determine the degree of malignancy and biology of maxillary osteosarcomas.

Los osteoscaromas de maxilares son entidades relativamente frecuentes entre los tumores malignos de la cavidad bucal. Al igual que los osteosarcomas de otras localizaciones del esqueleto, pueden presentar diferentes patrones de diferenciación celular (condroblástico, osteoblástico o fibroblástico). Si bien sus características histológicas son similares, tienen generalmente un comportamiento evolutivo diferente al de los huesos largos. Las variaciones morfométricas de las regiones organizadoras del nucleoloidentificadas por impregnación argéntica (AgNOR) han demostrado ser marcadores útiles para el estudio de la biología de diversas entidades tumorales, pero hay muy escasa información de su análisis en tumores de los huesos maxilares. El objetivo de este trabajo fue analizar las variaciones de diferentes parámetros morfológicos de las AgNOR en una serie de 32 casos de osteosarcomas de maxilar. En cada caso se analizaron 100 núcleos en el patrón de diferenciación celular predominante, seleccionando la zona de mayor agresividad. Se utilizó un programa que aporta información sobre diferentes parámetros de AgNOR, desarrollado previamente en nuestro laboratorio. El parámetro más indicativo resultó ser el volumen individual de las AgNOR. Este parámetro en los osteosarcomas con localización mandibular fue considerablemente menor que aquellos localizados en maxilar superior (p=0.02). En los osteosarcomas de maxilar los valores fueron significativamente menores que en los de huesos largos y en los carcinomas bucales. Ellos podría ser indicativo de una menor actividad celular, a su vez asociada a su reconocida menor agresividad. Estos resultados sugieren que el análisis de AgNOR podría ser considerado como un marcador de utilidad y de fácil aplicación para determinar el grado de malignidad en osteosarcomas de maxilar y estimar su comportamiento biológico.

Evaluation of nucleolar organizer regions in maxillary osteosarcoma

Maxillary osteosarcomas are a relatively frequent malignant tumor of the oral cavity. Similarly to other skeletal osteosarcomas, they exhibit different cellular differentiation patterns, i.e. chondroblastic, osteoblastic, or fibroblastic. Although their histological features resemble those of osteosarcomas of the long bones, their pattern of evolution usually differs. Morphometric variations in silver stained Nucleolar Organizer Regions (AgNOR) have proved of value to study the biology of several tumors. However, information on the analysis of AgNOR in maxillary tumors is scarce. The aim of the present study was to analyze the variations of different morphological parameters related to AgNOR in a series of 32 cases of maxillary osteosarcoma. In each case we analyzed 100 nuclei corresponding to the prevalent cellular differentiation type, selecting the most aggressive area. We employed software previously developed at our laboratory that yields information on different AgNOR-related parameters. The results were compared with those previously reported in a study on 12 cases of osteosarcoma of long bones. Six cases of oral mucosa squamous cell carcinoma were also included for comparative purposes. Single AgNOR volume proved to be the most discriminatory and informative parameter. The value of single AgNOR volume was considerably lower in mandible osteosarcomas than in osteosarcomas of the upper maxilla (p=0.02). The values were significantly lower in maxillary osteosarcomas than in long bone osteosarcomas and in oral carcinomas. This finding would suggest a slower rate of cell activity in maxillary osteosarcomas, associated in turn to its known lower degree of aggressiveness. The present results suggest that the analysis of AgNOR is a valuable and easily applicable marker to determine the degree of malignancy and biology of maxillary osteosarcomas.(AU)

Los osteoscaromas de maxilares son entidades relativamente frecuentes entre los tumores malignos de la cavidad bucal. Al igual que los osteosarcomas de otras localizaciones del esqueleto, pueden presentar diferentes patrones de diferenciación celular (condroblástico, osteoblástico o fibroblástico). Si bien sus características histológicas son similares, tienen generalmente un comportamiento evolutivo diferente al de los huesos largos. Las variaciones morfométricas de las regiones organizadoras del nucleoloidentificadas por impregnación argéntica (AgNOR) han demostrado ser marcadores útiles para el estudio de la biología de diversas entidades tumorales, pero hay muy escasa información de su análisis en tumores de los huesos maxilares. El objetivo de este trabajo fue analizar las variaciones de diferentes parámetros morfológicos de las AgNOR en una serie de 32 casos de osteosarcomas de maxilar. En cada caso se analizaron 100 núcleos en el patrón de diferenciación celular predominante, seleccionando la zona de mayor agresividad. Se utilizó un programa que aporta información sobre diferentes parámetros de AgNOR, desarrollado previamente en nuestro laboratorio. El parámetro más indicativo resultó ser el volumen individual de las AgNOR. Este parámetro en los osteosarcomas con localización mandibular fue considerablemente menor que aquellos localizados en maxilar superior (p=0.02). En los osteosarcomas de maxilar los valores fueron significativamente menores que en los de huesos largos y en los carcinomas bucales. Ellos podría ser indicativo de una menor actividad celular, a su vez asociada a su reconocida menor agresividad. Estos resultados sugieren que el análisis de AgNOR podría ser considerado como un marcador de utilidad y de fácil aplicación para determinar el grado de malignidad en osteosarcomas de maxilar y estimar su comportamiento biológico.(AU)

Estudio radiografico de muestras de tejido oseo de cresta iliaca humana: su significado frente a la puncion osea para estudios metabolicos / Radiographic study of iliac crest bone tissue samples. Significance compared to bone puncture for metabolic studies

Introduccion: Las alteraciones del tejido oseo se estiman con diferentes metodologias: analisis del medio interno, estudios radiograficos simples o con doble longitud de onda para evaluar el contenido mineral y biopsia osea de cresta iliaca. En este trabajo presentamos un estudio radiografico con analisis de imagenes de 220 muestras de cresta iliaca con el objetivo de establecer parametros de densidad osea en una poblacion sin patologia evidente. Materiales y metodos: Se obtuvieron 220 muestras de cresta iliaca y de ri¤on de autopsias (48 correspondientes a mujeres y 172 a varones). Se radiografiaron con placas de alta resolucion y las imagenes se digitalizaron. Sobre esta imagen digitalizada se realizo el estudio densitometrico con un patron de tejido equivalente en cera virgen. Resultados: Este estudio demostro notables alteraciones del patron convencional densitometrico. Se detectaron importantes variaciones a nivel de la cortical y de la esponjosa. Conclusiones: Las importantes variaciones observadas podrian cuestionar el valor de la densidad osea a partir de la puncion osea metabolica convencional

Estudio radiografico de muestras de tejido oseo de cresta iliaca humana: su significado frente a la puncion osea para estudios metabolicos / Radiographic study of iliac crest bone tissue samples. Significance compared to bone puncture for metabolic studies

Introduccion: Las alteraciones del tejido oseo se estiman con diferentes metodologias: analisis del medio interno, estudios radiograficos simples o con doble longitud de onda para evaluar el contenido mineral y biopsia osea de cresta iliaca. En este trabajo presentamos un estudio radiografico con analisis de imagenes de 220 muestras de cresta iliaca con el objetivo de establecer parametros de densidad osea en una poblacion sin patologia evidente. Materiales y metodos: Se obtuvieron 220 muestras de cresta iliaca y de riñon de autopsias (48 correspondientes a mujeres y 172 a varones). Se radiografiaron con placas de alta resolucion y las imagenes se digitalizaron. Sobre esta imagen digitalizada se realizo el estudio densitometrico con un patron de tejido equivalente en cera virgen. Resultados: Este estudio demostro notables alteraciones del patron convencional densitometrico. Se detectaron importantes variaciones a nivel de la cortical y de la esponjosa. Conclusiones: Las importantes variaciones observadas podrian cuestionar el valor de la densidad osea a partir de la puncion osea metabolica convencional