Comparison of quantitative computed tomography-based measures in predicting vertebral compressive strength
Jenni M Buckley1, Kenneth Loo, Julie Motherway
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA. buckleyj@orthosurg.ucsf.edu
Bone
|December 19, 2006
Summary
Quantitative computed tomography (QCT) measures like finite element (FE) models and axial rigidity accurately predict vertebral strength. These sophisticated QCT techniques are equivalent for predicting bone strength under compression, outperforming simple bone mineral density.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Quantitative computed tomography (QCT) is being developed for vertebral strength prediction.
- Current QCT techniques vary in complexity, including bone mineral density (BMD), mechanics of solids (MOS) models, and 3D finite element (FE) models.
- Lack of consensus exists regarding the relative performance of these QCT-based measures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To directly compare the performance of QCT-based assessment techniques with varying structural sophistication.
- To evaluate their accuracy in predicting experimental vertebral compressive strength.
Main Methods:
- Eighty-one human thoracic vertebrae (T6-T10) from 44 donors were QCT scanned.
- Scans were processed to generate FE models, BMD measures (trabecular and integral), and axial rigidity.
- Vertebrae were destructively tested in uniaxial compression to determine experimental strength.
Main Results:
- Bone mineral density (BMD) showed weak to moderate prediction of compressive strength (R²=0.16 for tBMD, R²=0.62 for iBMD).
- Vertebral strength strongly correlated with axial rigidity (R²=0.81) and FE strength (R²=0.80).
- FE and axial rigidity measures demonstrated statistically equivalent predictive capabilities (p>0.05).
Conclusions:
- Non-invasive vertebral strength prediction requires structural sophistication, including geometric and material property distribution.
- For isolated vertebrae under uniaxial compression, QCT-based FE and axial rigidity are equivalent predictors of strength.
- Further research is needed to compare FE and MOS models under more physiological loading conditions.
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