Accuracy of peripheral quantitative computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging in assessing cortical bone cross-sectional area: a cadaver study.
OBJECTIVE
The present study aimed to assess the accuracy of peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in assessing the cortical cross-sectional area (CCSA) at the level of the tibia.


METHODS
Nine human whole-leg specimens were scanned with pQCT and MRI (T1-weighted and ultrashort echo-time [UTE] images) at 2 diaphyseal levels, 1 distal and the other 1 proximal. Subsequently, the bones were cut, and the CCSA was measured using digitized planimetry on the transverse sections. The correlation between CCSAs assessed via pQCT and MRI (T1 and UTE images) and assessed via planimetry, taken as a criterion standard, was evaluated using the Spearman rank correlation method.


RESULTS
The mean (SD) CCSA with pQCT was 237.3 (54.3) mm2; T1-MRI, 228.8 (63.2) mm2; UTE-MRI, 178.5 (54.8) mm2; and planimetry, 250.17 (59.3) mm2. The CCSA measured with pQCT and T1-MRI was highly correlated with the planimetric CCSA (rho = 0.868 and rho = 0.880, respectively, P < 0.001). The correlation involving UTE-MRI was somewhat weaker (rho = 0.664, P = 0.003).


CONCLUSIONS
Peripheral quantitative computed tomography and MRI (T1-weighted images) are accurate for the assessment of the CCSA at the tibial shaft.
Louis
Olivia
O
Department of Radiology, UZ Brussel, Brussels, Belgium. olivia.louis@uzbrussel.be
Cattrysse
Erik
E
Scafoglieri
Aldo
A
Luypaert
Robert
R
Clarys
Jan Pieter
JP
de Mey
Johan
J
D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002102:Cadaver; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D013977:Tibia; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*