Improved accuracy of single-energy computed tomography bone mineral determination using threshold analysis.

ABSTRACT

Single-energy CT for bone-mineral determination underestimates the degree of mineralization because of error caused by fat in the marrow space. A correction using set theory and threshold analysis was developed to reduce this error. Corrections between 4.7% and 130.9% of fat-induced error are observed. The amount of correction is related directly to the amount of osteopenia present, and is patient specific. This technique may be appropriate for clinical evaluation because the major application of quantitative CT (QCT) is for bone mineral analysis in a population with increasing marrow space fat over time. This technique may allow reduction of the uncertainty of normal data developed using single energy QCT, thereby making the technique more sensitive to early detection of osteopenia.