title: Cancellous bone structure: analysis of high-resolution CT images with the run-length method.
abstract: Quantitative computed tomography is extensively used to assess bone density; its potential to quantify bone structure, however, remains to be explored. In this work we present the modifications of the run-length method necessary to enable an analysis of the trabecular bone structure at the distal radius and the distal tibia. Furthermore, the close relationship between histomorphometric values and the run-length parameters is shown. The procedure may be regarded as a noninvasive, reproducible biopsy. For an adequate analysis, high resolution CT images are required. To obtain such images, we modified a special purpose CT system and achieved a high contrast resolution of 0.25 mm. The procedure was applied to groups of normal volunteers and osteoporotic patients, and the results are interpreted with the help of simple two- and three-dimensional models of the trabecular architecture.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Biomedical Engineering, University of Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: E P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Durand
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rüegsegger
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015519:Bone Density; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D003198:Computer Simulation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011884:Radius / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D013977:Tibia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods