CT detects more osteoporotic endplate depressions than radiograph: a descriptive comparison of 76 vertebrae

• Published in: Osteoporosis international 2022-07, Vol.33 (7), p.1569-1577
• Main Authors: Du, E.-Z., Wáng, Y. X. J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Chest; Endocrinology; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Original Article; Orthopedics; Osteoporosis; Radiography; Rheumatology; Spine; Vertebrae
• ISSN: 0937-941X; 1433-2965
• DOI: 10.1007/s00198-022-06391-1

Summary This study analyzed elderly women who had chest radiograph and chest CT with indications other than spine disorders. Using CT images as reference, the study demonstrates that radiograph can miss a high portion of mild endplate depression. Detection of endplate depression is confounded by the limitation of projectional overlay for radiograph. Introduction The definition of radiographic OVF (osteoporotic vertebral fracture) remains controversial. Some authors suggest all OVFs should demonstrate endplate fracture/depression on radiograph. Using CT image as the reference, our study tests the hypothesis that a considerable portion of endplate depressions not seen on radiograph can be detected on CT. Methods We retrospectively analyzed 46 female cases (age: 67–94 years) who had both chest radiography and chest CT with indications other than spine disorders. Sixty-six “vertebrae of interest” were identified on radiograph; then, CT images were read side-by-side with lateral chest radiograph. Results Thirty-eight vertebrae (38/66) had anterior wedging deformity with height loss of