BACKGROUND

Bone strength is related to both mineral density (BMD) and the bone microstructure. However, only the assessment of BMD is available in clinical routine care today.

PURPOSE

To analyze and study the correlation of trabecular bone microstructure from the imaging data of a prototype Multitom Rax system, using micro-computed tomography (CT) data as the reference method (Skyscan 1176).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Imaging data from 14 bone samples from the human radius were analyzed regarding six bone structure parameters, i.e. trabecular nodes, separation, spacing, and thickness as well as bone volume (BV/TV) and structural model index (SMI).

RESULTS

All six structure parameters showed strong correlations to micro-CT with Spearman correlation coefficients in the range of 0.83-0.93. BV/TV and SMI had a correlation >0.90. Two of the parameters, namely, separation and number, had mean values in the same range as micro-CT. The other four were either over- or underestimated.

CONCLUSION

The strong correlation between micro-CT and the clinical imaging system, indicates the possibility for analyzing bone microstructure with potential to add value in fracture assessment using the studied device in a clinical workflow.