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Assessment of metabolic bone diseases by quantitative computed tomographyAdvances in the radiologic sciences have permitted the development of numerous noninvasive techniques for measuring the mineral content of bone, with varying degrees of precision, accuracy, and sensitivity. The techniques of standard radiography, radiogrammetry, photodensitometry, Compton scattering, neutron activation analysis, single and dual photon absorptiometry, and quantitative computed tomography (QCT) are described and reviewed in depth. Results from previous cross-sectional and longitudinal QCT investigations are given. They then describe a current investigation in which they studied 269 subjects, including 173 normal women, 34 patients with hyperparathyroidism, 24 patients with steroid-induced osteoporosis, and 38 men with idiopathic osteoporosis. Spinal quantitative computed tomography, radiogrammetry, and single photon absorptiometry were performed, and a spinal fracture index was calculated on all patients. The authors found a disproportionate loss of spinal trabecular mineral compared to appendicular mineral in the men with idiopathic osteoporosis and the patients with steroid-induced osteoporosis. They observed roughly equivalent mineral loss in both the appendicular and axial regions in the hyperparathyroid patients. The appendicular cortical measurements correlated moderately well with each other but less well with spinal trabecular QCT. The spinal fracture index correlated well with QCT and less well with the appendicular measurements. Knowledge of appendicular cortical mineral status is important in its own right but is not a valid predictor of axial trabecular mineral status, which may be disproportionately decreased in certain diseases. Quantitative CT provides a reliable means of assessing the latter region of the skeleton, correlates well with the spinal fracture index (a semiquantitative measurement of end-organ failure), and offers the clinician a sensitive means of following the effects of therapy.
Document ID
20050054592
Acquisition Source
Johnson Space Center
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Richardson, M. L.
Genant, H. K.
Cann, C. E.
Ettinger, B.
Gordan, G. S.
Kolb, F. O.
Reiser, U. J.
Date Acquired
August 22, 2013
Publication Date
May 1, 1985
Publication Information
Publication: Clinical orthopaedics and related research
Issue: 195
ISSN: 0009-921X
Subject Category
Life Sciences (General)
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: AM27926
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAS9-15887
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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