[Quantitative computed tomography for bone mineral assessment]

A precise method of measuring vertebral mineral content by quantitative computed tomography (QCT) using reference phantom was conducted. In order to minimize the error, the lumbar spine to be measured should be brought to the center of CT gantry, the phantom should be brought into close contact with the subject for measurement, scanning should be carried out on 10 mm slice thickness and the region of interest should be selected as large as possible. Comparison of QCT values among various CT scanners was difficult. This method was useful for the measurement of trabecular mineral content of lumbar vertebra in clinical practice.