Reference values for trabecular and cortical vertebral bone density in single and dual-energy quantitative computed...

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Osteoporosis Research
• Quantitative Imaging

Background:

• Vertebral bone mineral density (BMD) reference values are often questioned.
• Advancements in dual-energy methods and CT technology necessitate re-evaluation of BMD in normal populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To re-evaluate BMD values in a normal population using quantitative CT.
• To compare trabecular (tBMD) and cortical (cBMD) bone density measurements between single-energy (SEQCT) and dual-energy (DEQCT) quantitative CT.
• To determine age-related bone loss rates for both tBMD and cBMD in males and females.

Main Methods:

• Patient selection criteria, CT measurement, and evaluation protocols were established.
• SEQCT and DEQCT were used to measure tBMD and cBMD in 135 males and 139 females.
• Linear regression and multiphase variation models were applied to analyze tBMD and cBMD loss rates.

Main Results:

• SEQCT showed tBMD loss rates of 1.7 mg/ml/year (males) and 1.8 mg/ml/year (females).
• DEQCT data indicated smaller age-related decrements in tBMD compared to SEQCT.
• Cortical bone (cBMD) loss rates were lower than tBMD, with females exhibiting a significantly higher loss rate than males.

Conclusions:

• DEQCT provides a more refined assessment of age-related bone loss compared to SEQCT.
• Multiphase statistical models improve the fit for analyzing female tBMD variations.
• Findings contribute to a more accurate understanding of vertebral BMD changes with age and sex.