Effect of laminectomy on measured bone density.
Three cases are reported of women who had resection of the posterior vertebral elements. This permitted comparison of the density of the central or "void" area with that of the entire vertebra (L4), as well as with the mean value of bone at the right and left sides of the vertebral body, and with the results of both L2 and L3. The ratio-density of the center/density of the whole vertebra-was 0.497, 0.514, and 0.508 in these three cases (mean 0.506). The ratio of the density of the center/density of the right and left sides of the body of the three involved L4 vertebrae averaged 0.470. The results indicate that the posterior elements make a significant contribution to measured bone density. Further studies are needed regarding the variation of these values with the aging process and use of medications.
Division of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Diagnostic Imaging and Therapeutics, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT 06030-2804, USA. rspencer@adp.uchc.edu
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