Trabecular bone structure of the distal radius, the calcaneus, and the spine: which site predicts fracture status of the spine best?
OBJECTIVE
To compare trabecular bone structure measures obtained in magnetic resonance images of the distal radius and the calcaneus as well as computed tomographic images of the spine versus bone mineral density (BMD) of the spine and the calcaneus in the prediction of osteoporotic spine fracture status.


METHODS
High-resolution magnetic resonance images of the calcaneus and the distal radius and thin-section computed tomographic images of thoracic and lumbar vertebrae were obtained from 74 cadavers. Structure analysis was performed using parameters analogous to standard histomorphometry. BMD of the spine was determined by using quantitative computed tomography and of the calcaneus by using dual x-ray absorptiometry. Spine radiographs of these cadavers were assessed concerning vertebral deformities.


RESULTS
The diagnostic performance in differentiating fracture and nonfracture subjects was highest for structure parameters in the spine and slightly lower for these parameters in the distal radius and for BMD of the spine.


CONCLUSIONS
In this study structure parameters in the spine were best suited to predict the osteoporotic fracture status of the spine.
Link
Thomas M
TM
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Technische Universitaet Muenchen, Munich, Germany. tmlink@radiology.ucsf.edu
Bauer
Jan
J
Kollstedt
Antje
A
Stumpf
Ina
I
Hudelmaier
Martin
M
Settles
Marcus
M
Majumdar
Sharmila
S
Lochmüller
Eva-Maria
EM
Eckstein
Felix
F
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000368:Aged; D015519:Bone Density; D002111:Calcaneus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D011884:Radius / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D013131:Spine / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed