title: Prediction of the compressive strength of vertebral bodies of the lumbar spine by quantitative computed tomography.
abstract: The ultimate compressive strength of 36 thoracolumbar vertebrae was determined experimentally. In addition, the trabecular bone mineral content was measured by single energy quantitative computed tomography. The areas of fractured endplates were also determined by computed tomography. The results show that a linear relationship exists between the compressive strength and the product of bone density and endplate area. These data allow an in vivo prediction of vertebral body strength using a noninvasive method with a standard error of estimate amounting to less than 0.95 kN.
authors.affiliation: Radiologische Klinik und Strahleninstitut des Evangelischen Krankenhauses, Bethesda, Duisburg, FRG.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Biggemann
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hilweg
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Brinckmann
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008903:Minerals / Q000032:analysis*; D008961:Models, Structural; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011312:Pressure; D013718:Tensile Strength; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D008903:Minerals