title: Quantitative imaging methods in osteoporosis.
abstract: Osteoporosis is characterized by a decreased bone mass and quality resulting in an increased fracture risk. Quantitative imaging methods are critical in the diagnosis and follow-up of treatment effects in osteoporosis. Prior radiographic vertebral fractures and bone mineral density (BMD) as a quantitative parameter derived from dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) are among the strongest known predictors of future osteoporotic fractures. Therefore, current clinical decision making relies heavily on accurate assessment of these imaging features. Further, novel quantitative techniques are being developed to appraise additional characteristics of osteoporosis including three-dimensional bone architecture with quantitative computed tomography (QCT). Dedicated high-resolution (HR) CT equipment is available to enhance image quality. At the other end of the spectrum, by utilizing post-processing techniques such as the trabecular bone score (TBS) information on three-dimensional architecture can be derived from DXA images. Further developments in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) seem promising to not only capture bone micro-architecture but also characterize processes at the molecular level. This review provides an overview of various quantitative imaging techniques based on different radiological modalities utilized in clinical osteoporosis care and research.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Radiology & Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Ling
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Oei
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Radiology & Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Fjorda
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Koromani
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Radiology & Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rivadeneira
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: M Carola
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Zillikens
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology & Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Edwin H G
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Oei
keywords: Quantitative imaging; computed tomography (CT); dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA); magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); osteoporosis; positron emission tomography (PET); radiography