title: Trabecular microarchitecture in established osteoporosis: relationship between vertebrae, distal radius and calcaneus by X-ray imaging texture analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Osteoporosis is an alteration of bone mass and microarchitecture leading to an increased risk of fractures. A radiograph is a 2D projection of the 3D bone network exposing a texture, that can be assessed by texture analysis. We compared the trabecular microarchitecture of the spine, radius and calcaneus in a series of osteoporotic cadavers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-four cadavers (11 men, 23 women), mean age 85.2±2.1years, were radiographed from T4 to L5 to identify those with vertebral fractures (FV). Non-fractured vertebrae (NFV), radius and calcaneus were taken and analyzed by densitometry, radiography and texture analysis under run-length, skeletonization of the trabeculae, and fractal geometry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Six subjects (five women, one man) were selected, mean age 82.5±5.5years. Twelve calcanei and 10 radii were taken. Two radii were excluded. The texture of NFV was significantly correlated (P<0.01) with that of the radius for horizontal run-lengths. No relationship between the texture of NFV and calcaneus was found.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In the horizontal direction (perpendicular to the stress lines), the microarchitecture of NFV and radius showed a disappearance of the transverse rods anchoring the plates. Due to its particular microarchitecture, the calcaneus is not representative of the vertebral status.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Bone densitometry provides no information about microarchitecture. Texture analysis of X-ray images of the radius would be a minimally invasive tool, providing an early detection of microarchitectural alterations.
  
  
  METHODS
  IV retrospective study.
authors.affiliation: LUNAM, Angers University, Bone remodeling and biomaterials study group GEROM-LHEA, IRIS-IBS Biology Institute of Health, Angers Universitary Hospital Center, 49933 Angers Cedex, France.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mallard
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bouvard
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mercier
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bizot
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cronier
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chappard
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002111:Calcaneus / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D011884:Radius / Q000473:pathology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013131:Spine / Q000473:pathology*