Timing of peak bone mass: discrepancies between CT and DXA.
BACKGROUND
The time of life in which peak bone mass in the axial skeleton is attained has been the subject of considerable controversy, with estimates ranging from the time of sexual and skeletal maturity to the fifth decade of life.


OBJECTIVE
The objective was to examine whether dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and computed tomography (CT) values for bone mass and bone density (BD) in the axial skeleton increase after sexual and skeletal maturity.


METHODS
Measurements of vertebral bone mineral density and bone mineral content (BMC) by DXA and vertebral BD and BMC by CT were obtained in 50 sexually and skeletally mature white females at baseline and 3 yr later. CT BMC values were calculated through analysis of vertebral volume in relation to density (BMC = vertebral volume x BD).


RESULTS
Although neither CT BD nor BMC measures changed with time, DXA bone mineral density and BMC values were significantly higher at follow-up (P < 0.0001). Despite strong correlations between DXA and CT bone measures, DXA yielded greater changes in bone values in 47 of 50 subjects.


CONCLUSIONS
Bone acquisition in the lumbar spine as measured by CT reaches its peak by sexual and skeletal maturity. In contrast, bone values by DXA continue to increase after puberty and cessation of longitudinal growth. Increases in DXA measures are likely a reflection of inhomogeneous changes in soft tissues around the spine or of disproportionate increases in the posterior elements of the vertebrae rather than of changes within the vertebral body.
Wren
Tishya A L
TA
Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90027, USA.
Kim
Paul S
PS
Janicka
Agnieszka
A
Sanchez
Monique
M
Gilsanz
Vicente
V
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D015519:Bone Density; D001846:Bone Development / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D012741:Sexual Maturation / Q000502:physiology; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed