Quantitative computed tomography for spinal density measurement. Factors affecting precision.
Quantitative computed tomography (QCT) was performed in duplicate on 84 patients to test the short-term precision of the technique. Statistical analysis of the data revealed that precision was not a function of spinal density. It appeared to be worse in osteopenic individuals only when expressed as a percentage. Precision was slightly better in male than in female patients. There is a 90% likelihood that a duplicate measurement will fall within 20 CT units of the first determination in female patients and within ten units in male patients.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005598:Fractures, Spontaneous / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000293:injuries; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012737:Sex Factors; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*