Correlations among MRI-based cervical and thoracic vertebral bone quality score, CT-based Hounsfield Unit score, and DEXA t-score in assessment of bone mineral density.

BACKGROUND: Further optimization of the validated vertebral bone quality (VBQ) score using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may expand its clinical utility for bone mineral density (BMD) assessment. This study evaluated the correlations among cervical and thoracic VBQ scores, the validated Hounsfield Unit (HU) measured on computed tomography (CT), and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) values. METHODS: We retrieved the medical and radiographic records of 165 patients who underwent synchronous MRI of the cervical and thoracic spine, as well as DEXA and CT imaging of the spine obtained within 1 year of each other between 2015 and 2022. Radiographic data consisted of the MRI-based cervical and thoracic VBQ scores, CT-based HU, and DEXA T-scores of the spine and hip. Patient age, sex, body mass index (BMI), and ethnicity were also obtained. RESULTS: Mean cervical and thoracic VBQ scores were 3.99 ± 1.68 and 3.82 ± 2.11, respectively. Mean HU and DEXA T-scores of the spine and hip were 135.75 ± 60.36, -1.01 ± 1.15, and -0.47 ± 2.27. All correlations among VBQ, HU, and DEXA were insignificant except for weak correlations between cervical and thoracic VBQ, and cervical VBQ and HU. No correlations were observed between radiographic scores and patient age or BMI. No differences based on ethnicity or sex were observed with respect to cervical or thoracic VBQ, HU, or DEXA. CONCLUSION: Cervical and thoracic VBQ scores are distinct from Hounsfield Unit and DEXA values. VBQ scoring in the cervical and thoracic spine is not influenced by patient age, ethnicity, sex, or BMI.

Relationship between Femoral Proximal Bone Quality Assessment by MRI IDEAL-IQ Sequence and Body Mass Index in Elderly Men.

BACKGROUND: Bone assessment using the MRI DEAL-IQ sequence may have the potential to serve as a substitute for evaluating bone strength by quantifying the bone marrow hematopoietic region (R2*) and marrow adiposity (proton density fat fraction: PDFF). Higher body mass index (BMI) is associated with increased bone mineral density (BMD) in the proximal femur; however, the relationship between BMI and R2* or PDFF remains unclear. Herein, we investigated the correlation between BMI and MRI IDEAL-IQ based R2* or PDFF of the proximal femur. METHODS: A retrospective single-cohort study was conducted on 217 patients diagnosed with non-metastatic prostate cancer between September 2019 and December 2022 who underwent MRI. The correlation between BMI and R2* or PDFF of the proximal femur was analyzed using Spearman's rank correlation test. RESULTS: Among 217 patients (median age, 74 years; median BMI, 23.8 kg/m2), there was a significant positive correlation between BMI and R2* at the right and left proximal femur (r = 0.2686, p < 0.0001; r = 0.2755, p < 0.0001, respectively). Furthermore, BMI and PDFF showed a significant negative correlation (r = -0.239, p = 0.0004; r = -0.2212, p = 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION: In elderly men, the increased loading on the proximal femur due to elevated BMI was observed to promote a decrease in bone marrow adiposity in the proximal femur, causing a tendency for a transition from fatty marrow to red marrow with hematopoietic activity. These results indicate that the MRI IDEAL-IQ sequence may be valuable for assessing bone quality deterioration in the proximal femur.

OPN, BSP, and Bone Quality-Structural, Biochemical, and Biomechanical Assessment in OPN-/-, BSP-/-, and DKO Mice.

Osteopontin (OPN) and Bone Sialoprotein (BSP), abundantly expressed by osteoblasts and osteoclasts, appear to have important, partly overlapping functions in bone. In gene-knockout (KO, -/-) models of either protein and their double (D)KO in the same CD1/129sv genetic background, we analyzed the morphology, matrix characteristics, and biomechanical properties of femur bone in 2 and 4 month old, male and female mice. OPN-/- mice display inconsistent, perhaps localized hypermineralization, while the BSP-/- are hypomineralized throughout ages and sexes, and the low mineralization of young DKO mice recovers with age. The higher contribution of primary bone remnants in OPN-/- shafts suggests a slow turnover, while their lower percentage in BSP-/- indicates rapid remodeling, despite FTIR-based evidence in this genotype of a high maturity of the mineralized matrix. In 3-point bending assays, OPN-/- bones consistently display higher Maximal Load, Work to Max. Load and in young mice Ultimate Stress, an intrinsic characteristic of the matrix. Young male and old female BSP-/- also display high Work to Max. Load along with low Ultimate Stress. Principal Component Analysis confirms the major role of morphological traits in mechanical competence, and evidences a grouping of the WT phenotype with the OPN-/- and of BSP-/- with DKO, driven by both structural and matrix parameters, suggesting that the presence or absence of BSP has the most profound effects on skeletal properties. Single or double gene KO of OPN and BSP thus have multiple distinct effects on skeletal phenotypes, confirming their importance in bone biology and their interplay in its regulation.

Bone quality assessment in patients with healing mandibular fracture sites: a computed tomography investigation.

The objective of this retrospective study was to assess the bone quality of healing mandibular fracture sites by measuring the Hounsfield units (HU) on computed tomographic (CT) images obtained presurgery and postsurgery in patients treated with rigid internal fixation (RIF). The HU values of healing fracture sites were compared to those of corresponding nonfractured (control) sites on the opposing side and cervical vertebrae sites in the same patients. In total, 31 patients with 45 mandibular fractures treated with RIF underwent presurgical and postsurgical CT examinations. The scans performed after surgery (1, 3, 6, 12, or 18 months) were taken only when there was a need for radiographic evaluation due to a complaint of discomfort from the patient or when the surgeon needed to verify the postsurgical outcome, and each patient underwent only a single postsurgical CT. At the presurgical CT examination, the HU values were lower in the fracture sites than in the control sites. At 3 months postsurgery, the HU values in the fracture sites had increased as the mandibular bone healed. At 6 months postsurgery, the HU values in the fracture sites were higher than those of the control sites. At 12 and 18 months postsurgery, the HU values of both sites were similar. The HU values of the cervical vertebrae remained constant with time. These results suggest that, in patients who have been treated with RIF for mandibular bone fracture, HU values measured by CT vary across time, expressing the physiologic bone healing process.

Assessment of Biochemical Bone Turnover Markers in Polish Healthy Children and Adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Assessing bone turnover in paediatric populations is crucial for understanding the physiological changes occurring during skeletal development and identifying potential abnormalities. The objective of this study was to assess osteocalcin (OC), bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP), and C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX-I) levels reflecting bone formation and resorption for age and sex in Polish healthy children and adolescents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 355 healthy normal-weight children and adolescents (46.5% girls) aged 1-18 years old were recruited. Total body less head (TBLH) and spine L1-L4 were used in children to assess bone mineral density (BMD) by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Bone marker concentrations were determined by immunoenzymatic methods. RESULTS: Bone marker levels in girls and boys started with higher values in the first year of life and subsequently decreased until reaching a nadir during the prepubertal period. The pubertal peak values of bone markers were reached at 11-13 years old in boys and at 9-11 years old in girls. After puberty, the adolescents showed a gradual decline in bone marker concentrations to the values observed in adults. We found positive correlations between OC level and TBLH-BMD (r = 0.329, p = 0.002), TBLH-BMD Z-score (r = 0.245, p = 0.023), and L1-L4 BMD (r = 0.280, p = 0.009) in the prepubertal group. CONCLUSIONS: We showed serum levels of bone turnover markers-BALP, OC, and CTX-I-in relation to age and sex in healthy Polish children and adolescents. The age intervals of these markers for girls and boys aged 1-18 years old may be clinically useful in the assessment of bone metabolism in individuals with skeletal disorders.

Precision Errors and Monitoring Time Interval in Pediatric Muscle Imaging and Neuromuscular Performance Assessment.

OBJECTIVES: To determine precision errors and monitoring time intervals in imaged muscle properties and neuromuscular performance, and to explore growth-related factors associated with precision errors in children. METHODS: We included 35 children (mean age 10.5yrs) in the precision study cohort and 40 children (10.7yrs) in the follow-up study cohort. We assessed forearm and lower leg muscle properties (area, density) with peripheral quantitative computed tomography. We measured neuromuscular performance via maximal pushup, grip force, countermovement and standing long jump force, power, and impulse along with long jump length. We calculated precision errors (root-mean-squared coefficient of variation) from the precision cohort and monitoring time intervals using annual changes from the follow-up cohort. We explored associations between precision errors (coefficient of variation) and maturity, time interval (between repeated measures), and anthropometric changes using Spearman's rank correlation (p<0.05). RESULTS: Muscle measures exhibited precision errors of 1.3-14%. Monitoring time intervals were 1-2.6yrs, except muscle density (>43yrs). We identified only one association between precision errors and maturity (maximal pushup force: rho=-0.349; p=0.046). CONCLUSIONS: Imaging muscle properties and neuromuscular performance measures had precision errors of 1-14% and appeared suitable for follow-up on ~2yr scales (except muscle density). Maximal pushup force appeared more repeatable in mature children.

Semi-automatic proximal humeral trabecular bone density assessment tool: technique application and clinical validation.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to apply a newly developed semi-automatic phantom-less QCT (PL-QCT) to measure proximal humerus trabecular bone density based on chest CT and verify its accuracy and precision. METHODS: Subcutaneous fat of the shoulder joint and trapezius muscle were used as calibration references for PL-QCT BMD measurement. A self-developed algorithm based on a convolution map was utilized in PL-QCT for semi-automatic BMD measurements. CT values of ROIs used in PL-QCT measurements were directly used for phantom-based quantitative computed tomography (PB-QCT) BMD assessment. The study included 376 proximal humerus for comparison between PB-QCT and PL-QCT. Two sports medicine doctors measured the proximal humerus with PB-QCT and PL-QCT without knowing each other's results. Among them, 100 proximal humerus were included in the inter-operative and intra-operative BMD measurements for evaluating the repeatability and reproducibility of PL-QCT and PB-QCT. RESULTS: A total of 188 patients with 376 shoulders were involved in this study. The consistency analysis indicated that the average bias between proximal humerus BMDs measured by PB-QCT and PL-QCT was 1.0 mg/cc (agreement range - 9.4 to 11.4; P > 0.05, no significant difference). Regression analysis between PB-QCT and PL-QCT indicated a good correlation (R-square is 0.9723). Short-term repeatability and reproducibility of proximal humerus BMDs measured by PB-QCT (CV: 5.10% and 3.41%) were slightly better than those of PL-QCT (CV: 6.17% and 5.64%). CONCLUSIONS: We evaluated the bone quality of the proximal humeral using chest CT through the semi-automatic PL-QCT system for the first time. Comparison between it and PB-QCT indicated that it could be a reliable shoulder BMD assessment tool with acceptable accuracy and precision. This study developed and verify a semi-automatic PL-QCT for assessment of proximal humeral bone density based on CT to assist in the assessment of proximal humeral osteoporosis and development of individualized treatment plans for shoulders.

FRAX-based intervention and assessment thresholds in seven Latin American countries

Age-specific intervention and assessment thresholds were developed for seven Latin American countries. The intervention threshold ranged from 1.2% (Ecuador) to 27.5% (Argentina) at the age of 50 and 90 years, respectively. In the Latin American countries, FRAX offers a substantial advance for the detection of subjects at high fracture risk.INTRODUCTION:Intervention thresholds are proposed using the Fracture Risk Assessment (FRAX) tool. We recommended their use to calculate the ten-year probability of fragility fracture (FF) in both, men and women with or without the inclusion of bone mineral density (BMD). The purpose of this study is to compute FRAX-based intervention and BMD assessment thresholds for seven Latin American countries in men and women ≥ 40 years.METHODS:The intervention threshold (IT) was set at a 10-year probability of a major osteoporotic fracture (MOF) equivalent to a woman with a prior FF and a body mass index (BMI) equal to 25.0 kg/m2 without BMD or other clinical risk factors. The lower assessment threshold was set at a 10-year probability of a MOF in women with BMI equal to 25.0 kg/m2, no previous fracture and no clinical risk factors. The upper assessment threshold was set at 1.2 times the IT.RESULTS:For the seven LA countries, the age-specific IT varied from 1.5 to 27.5% in Argentina, 3.8 to 25.2% in Brazil, 1.6 up to 20.0% in Chile, 0.6 to 10.2% in Colombia, 0.9 up to 13.6% in Ecuador, 2.6 to 20.0% in Mexico, and 0.7 up to 22.0% in Venezuela at the age of 40 and 90 years, respectively.CONCLUSIONS:In the LA countries, FRAX-based IT offers a substantial advance for the detection of men and women at high fracture risk, particularly in the elderly. The heterogeneity of IT between the LA countries indicates that country-specific FRAX models are appropriate rather than a global LA model (AU)

Avaliação do tecido ósseo de sítios implantares em rebordos maxilares por meio de métodos radiográficos e da análise histomorfométrica / Assessment of the bone tissue of implant sites in maxillary ridges with radiographic methods and histomophometric analysis

Um dos principais fatores que influencia os resultados da terapia de implantes dentários é a densidade do osso alveolar. A sua avaliação permitiria a predição do torque de inserção do implante levando a um planejamento preciso do tratamento. O presente estudo de coorte teve como objetivo definir e correlacionar características radiográficas e morfológicas do osso, e sua influencia no torque de inserção. Foram analisados dados demográficos, radiografias panorâmicas e tomografias computadorizadas por feixe cônico (TCFC) de um total de 25 pacientes que receberam 31 implantes. Amostras ósseas retiradas dos sítios implantares foram avaliadas com densitometria óssea, micro-tomografia computadorizada, e histomorfometria. A análise de escala de cinzas avaliada com a TCFC foi fortemente correlacionada com a microtomografia computadorizada (r=0,504, p=0,004) e com a histomorfometria (r=0,795, p=0,001). No entanto, os resultados da correlação de Spearman mostraram que o torque máximo de inserção foi fortemente correlacionado com a espessura cortical do rebordo (r=0,609, p=0,001). Os resultados indicam que o torque de inserção é influenciado principalmente pela camada cortical do osso alveolar. O trabalho propõe ainda uma classificação clínica de predição de torque, baseada em resultados de sensitividade e especificidade da combinação de variáveis diferentes. A TCFC de 14-bit foi indicada como confiável para avaliar a densidade do tecido ósseo alveolar através da escala de cinzas...

A main factor influencing dental implant therapy outcomes is the alveolar bone density. Its assessment would allow for prediction of implant insertion torque (IT), leading to a precise treatment planning. The present cohort study aimed to define and correlate imaging and morphometric bone features influencing IT. Demographics, panoramic radiographs and cone beam computed tomographic (CBCT) scans of a total of 25 patients receiving 31 implants were analyzed. Bone samples retrieved from implant sites were assessed with dual x-ray absorptiometry, micro-computed tomography, and histomorphometry. Grayscale analysis using CBCT was strongly correlated with micro-computed tomography and with histomorphometric analysis (r=0.795, p=0.001). However, Spearmans correlation results showed that peak IT was strongly correlated with ridge cortical thickness (r=.609, p=.001). These results indicate that IT is mainly influenced by the amount of alveolar cortical bone layer. This work further propose a clinical classification for IT prediction, based on findings of sensitivity and specificity of the combination of different variables. 14-bit CBCT was indicated as reliable to assess alveolar bone density using grayscale analysis...

Evaluacion de la microarquitectura osea mediante tomografia computada periferica de alta resolucion (HR-pQCT): aplicaciones clínicas / Bone microarchitecture assessment by high resolution peripheral computarized tomography: clinical aplications

La pérdida de resistencia osea que caracteriza a la osteoporosis depende de varios factores como la masa osea, la distribucion de esta masa en el espacio y la calidad del material. La tomografia computada periferica de alta resolucion es un nuevo metodo de imagen que permite evaluar in vivo la microarquitectura de los sectores trabecular y cortical del radio y de la tibia con una resolucion de 82 Ìm...

The clinical and epidemiologic consequences of redefining treatment criteria: who should be treated?: [review] / Consecuencias clínicas y epidemiológicas de la redefinición de criterios de tratamiento: ¿quién debe tratarse?: [revisión]

Bone mineral density (BMD) is the tool for diagnosing osteoporosis in older adults. However, BMD alone is not sufficient for deciding who should be given treatment at either the individual patient or the public health level. Robust, scientifically validated algorithms that combine BMD with other clinical risk factors provide more accurate assessment of fracture probability. New guidelines for managing osteoporosis are now based on the assessment of absolute fracture risk, not simply on bone mineral density values. Accordingly, treatment resources will be redirected away from young postmenopausal women with low BMD and low fracture risk toward older adults at moderate or high risk for fracture. It is expected that, with these algorithms, the cost and effectiveness of medical care for patients with osteoporosis will be improved.

La densidad mineral ósea (DMO) es la herramienta de diagnóstico para osteoporosis en adultos mayores. Sin embargo, por sí sola la DMO no es suficiente para decidir quién debe recibir tratamiento ni al nivel del paciente individual ni al nivel de salud pública. Los algoritmos robustos, científicamente comprobados, que combinan DMO con otros factores de riesgo clínicos proporcionan una evaluación más precisa de la probabilidad de fractura. Los nuevos lineamientos para el manejo de la osteoporosis se basan en la evaluación del riesgo de fractura absoluto, no ya tan sólo en los valores de densidad mineral ósea. Por lo tanto, los recursos para el tratamiento cambiarán, de dirigirse a mujeres postmenopáusicas jóvenes con baja DMO y bajo riesgo de fractura, a mujeres mayores con riesgo de fractura alto o moderado. Se espera que con estos algoritmos haya una mejora en cuanto al costo y la efectividad de la atención médica para pacientes con osteoporosis.

Peak bone mass and bone mineral density correlates for 9 to 24 year-old Mexican women, using corrected BMD / Pico mineral óseo y factores asociados a la densidad mineral ósea en mujeres mexicanas de 9 a 24 años de edad usando densidad mineral ósea corregida

OBJECTIVE: To determine the age of peak bone mass (PBM) in Mexican women and factors associated with both BMDa and corrected BMD (BMDcorr) at the femoral neck and the spine (L2-L4). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data on 461 women between 9 and 24 years old was used. An interview was performed and height and weight were measured. BMDa was measured by a densitometer and BMDcorr by the method proposed by Krõger et al. (1992). RESULTS: PBM at the spine (L2-L4) was observed later than at the femoral neck. Both BMDa and BMDcorr at the lumbar spine correlate with age, socio-economic status, body fat percentage and height. BMDa at the femoral neck correlates with overweight and obesity, body fat percentage, height and moderate physical activity; the same variables were associated with BMDcorr except for height. CONCLUSIONS: The method proposed by Krõger et al. was more precise at the femoral neck than at the spine.

OBJETIVO: Determinar la edad del pico de masa ósea (PMO) y los factores asociados a DMOa y a DMOcorr del cuello femoral y de la columna vertebral (L2-L4) en mujeres mexicanas. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se utilizaron datos de 461 mujeres de 9 a 24 años de edad. La DMO se midió mediante un densitómetro y la DMOcorr mediante el método propuesto por Krõger et al. (1992). RESULTADOS: El PMO en la columna vertebral (L2-L4) se observó más tarde que en el cuello femoral. A la DMOa y DMOcorr de la columna se asociaron: edad, estado socio económico, porcentaje de grasa corporal y la talla. A DMOa del cuello femoral se asociaron: sobrepeso y obesidad, porcentaje de grasa corporal, talla y actividad física moderada; las mismas variables se asociaron con la DMOcorr excepto talla. CONCLUSIONES: El método propuesto por Krõger et al. fue más preciso para el cuello femoral que para la columna.

Dietary intake of Brazilian black and white men and its relationship to the bone mineral density of the femoral neck

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Osteoporosis and fragility fractures are an important public health problem. Although bone loss occurs with age universally, the incidence of bone loss fractures varies greatly between racial groups. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between calcium, protein and energy intake and the bone mineral density of the femoral neck in Brazilian black and white men. DESIGN AND SETTING: This was a cross-sectional study, carried out in a teaching hospital in São Paulo. METHODS: The participants were 277 volunteer men, aged 50 years or older. The bone mineral density of the femoral neck (FNBMD) was measured by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. The relationship between FNBMD and calcium, protein and energy intake, as assessed by a three-day food record, was analyzed using multiple linear regression models and was adjusted for age, height, physical activity and education level. The analysis was stratified by race (white and black). RESULTS: FNBMD presented similar means in the two racial groups (p = 0.538). Protein and energy intake did not show a significant correlation with FNBMD, either in the white or in the black population. Calcium intake showed a strong and independent correlation with FNBMD in the black men (partial r = 0.42). CONCLUSION: Calcium intake was a determinant of FNBMD for black men, aged 50 years or older, but not for the white ones.

CONTEXTO E OBJETIVO: Osteoporose é um importante problema de saúde pública. Embora a perda de massa óssea ocorra universalmente com a idade, a incidência de fraturas por fragilidade óssea varia largamente entre grupos raciais. O objetivo foi examinar a relação entre o consumo de cálcio, proteína e energia e a densidade mineral óssea (DMO) do colo do fêmur em uma população de homens brasileiros brancos e negros. TIPO DE ESTUDO E LOCAL: Estudo transversal, realizado em um hospital escola em São Paulo. MÉTODOS: Foram recrutados 277 homens voluntários, com 50 anos ou mais. DMO do colo do fêmur foi medida com um densitômetro de dupla emissão de raios-X. Os consumos de cálcio, proteína e energia foram avaliados pelo método de registro de três dias de consumo de alimentos. Foi analisada a relação entre DMO do colo do fêmur e os consumo de cálcio, proteína e energia, utilizando modelos de regressão linear múltipla, estratificados por raça branca e negra e ajustados por idade, altura, atividade física e escolaridade. RESULTADOS: DMO do colo do fêmur apresentou média semelhante nos dois grupos raciais (p = 0,538). Os consumos de proteína e energia não foram correlacionados com a DMO do colo do fêmur, tanto para os indivíduos da raça branca como da negra. Já o consumo de cálcio teve correlação forte e independente com a DMO do colo do fêmur nos homens negros (r parcial = 0,42). CONCLUSÃO: Concluímos que o consumo de cálcio foi um determinante da DMO do colo do fêmur destes homens negros brasileiros com idade maior ou igual a 50 anos, mas não para os homens brancos estudados.