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Updated: Jul 19, 2026
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Outer-Boundary Assisted Segmentation and Quantification of Trabecular Bones by an Imagej Plugin
Published on: March 14, 2018
Relationship between plain radiographic patterns and three- dimensional trabecular architecture in the human
G Luo1, J H Kinney, J J Kaufman
1New York Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, New York, and Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, New York University Medical Center, New York, New York, USA.
Summary
This study reveals that plain radiographs accurately reflect the underlying three-dimensional (3D) trabecular bone structure. This finding suggests radiographs can monitor bone changes and assess fracture risk in individuals.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Radiology
- Orthopedics
Background:
- Trabecular bone structure is crucial for skeletal integrity.
- Assessing 3D bone architecture non-invasively is challenging.
- Plain radiography is a widely available imaging modality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish the correlation between 3D trabecular bone architecture and 2D radiographic patterns.
- To investigate the diagnostic potential of plain radiographs for evaluating bone structure.
Main Methods:
- Human calcaneal bone samples were imaged using micro-CT with synchrotron radiation.
- Multiple 3D bone models were generated through morphological operations.
- Both 3D structures and derived 2D radiographic patterns were analyzed for anisotropy and fabric.
Main Results:
- A strong linear correlation (0.99, p<0.0001) was found between 3D trabecular architecture (R(3D)) and 2D radiographic patterns (R(x-ray)).
- The anisotropy of 3D structures ranged from 1.38 to 2.54 (mean 1.88).
- The anisotropy of 2D patterns ranged from 1.35 to 2.18 (mean 1.71).
Conclusions:
- Plain radiographs contain significant architectural information directly related to the 3D trabecular bone structure.
- Well-controlled plain radiography could be valuable for in vivo monitoring of trabecular bone changes.
- This technique may aid in identifying individuals at higher risk for osteoporotic fractures.
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