Finite element fracture load analysis and dark-field X-ray imaging of osteoporotic and healthy vertebrae in human lumbar spine specimens.

PURPOSE

This study investigated the association of measurements from a clinical X-ray dark-field prototype system and CT-based finite element analysis (FEA) in lumbar spine specimens.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this prospective study, human cadaveric spine specimens (L2 to L4) were examined using a clinical prototype for dark-field radiography, yielding both attenuation and dark-field images. Specimens were scanned in vertical and horizontal positions. Volumetric bone mineral density (BMD) values were derived from quantitative CT measurements. Bone segmentation masks derived from CT-images were used for FEA-estimated fracture load (FL) calculations. FEA-estimated FL, dark-field, and attenuation signals were compared between osteoporotic/osteopenic (BMD < 120 mg/cm) and non-osteoporotic/osteopenic specimens using the paired t-test and the Wilcoxon Mann-Whitney U test. Associations were tested using Spearman correlation.

RESULTS

Fifty-nine vertebrae from 20 lumbar spine specimens (mean age, 73 years ± 13; 11 women) were studied. FEA-estimated FL correlated with BMD (r = 0.75, p < .001) and was significantly lower in osteoporotic/osteopenic vertebrae (1222 ± 566 vs. 2880 ± 1182, p < .001). Dark-field and attenuation signals were positively correlated with FEA-estimated FL, in both vertical (r = 0.64, p < .001, r = 0.82, p  < .001) and horizontal position (r = 0.55, p < .001, r = 0.81, p < .001).

CONCLUSION

Dark-field and attenuation signals assessed using a clinical X-ray dark-field system significantly correlated with FEA-estimated FL in human spine specimens with and without osteoporosis/osteopenia. Dark-Field imaging may complement existing assessment methods for bone strength as a dose-efficient, accessible tool.