Title:High-Resolution Bone Imaging for Osteoporosis Diagnostics and Therapy Monitoring Using Clinical MDCT and MRI
Volume: 20
Issue: 38
Author(s): T. Baum, D. C. Karampinos, H. Liebl, E. J. Rummeny, S. Waldt and J. S. Bauer
Affiliation:
Keywords:
High-resolution bone imaging, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT),
osteoporosis.
Abstract: Osteoporosis is classified as a public health problem due to its increased risk for fragility fractures. Osteoporotic
fractures, in particular spine and hip fractures, are associated with a high morbidity and mortality, and generate
immense financial cost. The World Health Organisation (WHO) based the diagnosis of osteoporosis on the measurement
of bone mineral density (BMD) using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). However, BMD values of subjects with
versus without osteoporotic fractures overlap. Furthermore, it was reported that the anti-fracture effects of drugs could be
only partially explained by their effects on BMD. Bone strength reflects the integration of BMD and bone quality. The
later can be partly determined by measurements of bone microstructure. Therefore, substantial research efforts have been
undertaken to assess bone microstructure by using high-resolution imaging techniques, including high-resolution peripheral
quantitative computed tomography (hr-pQCT), high-resolution multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT), and
high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Clinical MDCT and MRI systems are broadly available and allow an
adequate depiction of the bone microstructure at the clinically most important fracture sites, i.e. radius, spine and hip.
Bone microstructure parameters and finite element models can be computed in high-resolution MDCT and MR images.
These measurements improved the prediction of bone strength beyond the DXA-derived BMD and revealed pharmacotherapy
effects, which are partly not captured by BMD. Therefore, high-resolution bone imaging using clinical MDCT
and MRI may be beneficial for osteoporosis diagnostics and allow a highly sensitive monitoring of drug treatment, which
plays an important role in the prevention of fragility fractures.
