Assessment of material, structural, and functional properties of the human skeleton by pQCT systems

Abstract

Peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) systems measure bone parameters noninvasively using low radiation doses. This limits image resolution but is practical for the diagnosis and quantitative monitoring of the properties of the peripheral human skeleton. pQCT determines volumetric bone mineral density separately in trabecular and cortical bone. It may combine densitometry determinations with geometric estimates and use strain-stress indexes, and it may be used to analyze muscle variables in some areas, allowing the study of regional fragility. Experimental and clinical ex vivo studies show that pQCT variables correlate with biomechanical predictors of fragility and/or fractures. Since pQCT was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in 1997, new skeletal regions (human femur and mandible) have been considered in the development of the system. Basically, pQCT explores intraindividual and interindividual variations in greater detail and compares the impact of skeletal diseases, risk factors, and anabolic and catabolic treatments within a given bone cross section.

A controlled trial comparing one-year biochemical bone metabolism outcome in postmenopausal frail osteopenic women under weekly alendronate treatment, with or without whole-body vibration intervention

“…The SSIp calculation considers bone tissue density (CtBMDv) and bone size (assessed as the crosssection moment of inertia) (CSMI) of cortical area of the scan. The CSMI is expected to reflect the directional skeletal influences of muscle forces mobilized by WBV 13,20,21 . The CV measurements were below 1% for CtBMDv and below 3% for SSIp 13,20,21 .…”

“…The CSMI is expected to reflect the directional skeletal influences of muscle forces mobilized by WBV 13,20,21 . The CV measurements were below 1% for CtBMDv and below 3% for SSIp 13,20,21 . A positive effect of the WBV input over those CV values was expected at the studied site.…”

Effects of Levothyroxine on Bone Mineral Density, Muscle Force, and Bone Turnover Markers: A Cohort Study

“…As bone material is exquisitely sensitive to minimal effective strains derived from contractions of regional muscles or to the lack of such strains (Seeman E, 2003), bone architecture combining structural geometry, strength and function of bone is primarily a result of mechanical loading acting on bone with muscle strength as first-order determinant of biomechanical bone quality (Ferretti JL, 2000;Frost HM, 1995;Hasegawa Y, 2000;Hasegawa Y, 2001). Geometrical parameters of the cortical shell such as cortical thickness, cortical area, and cross-sectional second moment of inertia are closely interrelated with the bending or the torsional strength of intact bones (Horikoshi T, 1999, Louis O, 1995Roldán EJ, 2009).…”

“…Histomorphometrical analyses (Mosekilde L, 1990;Roldán EJ, 2009;Vestergaard P, 2003) and clinical assessments of areal BMD at skeletal sites with distinct proportions of cortical and trabecular bone (Allain TJ, 1993;Faber J, 1994;Pantazi H, 2000;Ross DS, 1994;Uzzan B, 1996) showed more marked impairment of cortical than trabecular bone due to LT 4 administration. Thinning and porosity of the cortical shell occurred basically due to endocortical resorption.…”

Factors affecting short-term precision of musculoskeletal measures using peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT)

“…A popular tool for assessing bone and muscle health is peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) [6,7]. pQCT employs a small purpose-built scanner to take tomographic slices of peripheral sites using a low radiation dose X-ray source.…”