Quantitative computed tomography for bone mineral measurement: technical aspects, dosimetry, normal data and clinical applications

Abstract

A single KVp quantitative CT (QCT) technique was used for measuring the spinal trabecular bone density. The trabecular bone equivalent density (TBED) was expressed as the density of a K2HPO4 solution that exhibits a linear attenuation coefficient identical to that of trabecular bone. A field non-uniformity correcting factor was obtained from experiments on phantoms. The effective equivalent dose of the whole examination (four sections and a scout view) is 370 muSv. The in vivo short-term precision (reproducibility coefficient of variation) ranges from 1.4% to 4.1% depending on the TBED values of the normal subjects. The TBED was measured in 206 normal Greeks aged 30-69 years. Average TBED decreased with increasing age for both sexes. Analysis considering separately each vertebra showed a tendency to a caudal spinal TBED reduction. No correlation was found between the TBED values and the body habitus, milk consumption, smoking habits in men, and number of full-term pregnancies. A significant difference (p less than 0.01) was found between the TBED values of the normals and those of 50 women suffering from post-menopausal osteoporosis, 37 alcoholic men, and 12 gastrectomized men (Billroth II). Quantitative CT has been established as a method of measuring TBED in health and disease, and the results from this study confirm these applications.

Changes in biochemical markers of bone metabolism and BMD during the first year after a hip fracture

“…The error in precision has been estimated at 2% for bone mineral density in the proximal femur, 4% and 5% in the distal femur and proximal tibia and 3% for muscle volume in the mid-femur. These estimates were made in our department with the same equipment (Neander et al 1997a), and are similar to those reported elsewhere (Steiger et al 1990, Karantanas et al 1991.…”

Biochemical bone markers and bone density in hip fracture patients: Weak correlation in 106 women

“…The precision error has earlier been estimated at 2% for bone mineral density in the middle femur, 4% and 5% of the distal femur and the proximal tibia, respectively, and 3% for muscle volume of the the middle femur in our department with the same equipment (Neander et al 1997). These values are similar to those that others have found (Steiger et al 1990, Karantanas et al 1991.…”

Positive effects of short-term growth hormone treatment on lean body mass and BMC after a hip fractureA double-blind placebo-controlled pilot study in 20 patients

“…The precision error has earlier been estimated as 2% for bone mineral density in the middle femur, 4% and 5% for the distal femur and the proximal tibia, respectively, and 3% for muscle volume of the middle femur (Neander et al 1997). These values are similar to those found by others (Karantanas et al 1991).…”