Software-assisted morphometry and volumetry of the lumbar spine

The aim of the study was to measure volumes of the lumbar vertebral bodies with use dedicated Computed Tomography (CT) workstation software to predict expected volume of PMMA for vertebroplasty and supplement calculations using computed tomography scanogram. Quantitative CT scans of 87 women's (mean age 69.4 years; SD 10.9) and 15 men's (mean age 64.3 years; SD 11.8) lumbar spines were analyzed; this made a total of 379 vertebrae. The population of patients was divided into three groups depending on measured BMD value, in accordance with American College of Radiology Practice Parameter for the Performance of Quantitative Computed Tomography (QCT) Bone Densitometry. With the use of the general linear model and least squares means groups were compared regarding vertebral volume, anterior, middle, and posterior vertebral heights. Morphometric parameters tended to be greater in males than in females, in a population of diversified bone mineral density. BMD result should be considered as the modifying factor for preoperative planning of the bone cement volume to be deposited inside the vertebra. Vertebral body volumetry might prove to be a useful tool in pre-operative planning as well as an alternative for treatment monitoring after minimally invasive spinal procedures.