Fractal analysis of lumbar vertebral cancellous bone architecture

Osteoporosis is characterized by bone mineral density (BMD) decreasing and spongy bone rearrangement with consequent loss of elasticity and increased bone fragility. Quantitative computed tomography (QCT) quantifies bone mineral content but does not describe spongy architecture. Analysis of trabecul...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Clinical anatomy (New York, N.Y.) N.Y.), 2001-11, Vol.14 (6), p.414-417
Main Authors: Feltrin, G.P., Macchi, V., Saccavini, C., Tosi, E., Dus, C., Fassina, A., Parenti, A., De Caro, R.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Bone Density
bone mineral density
Female
fractal analysis
Fractals
Humans
Lumbar Vertebrae - diagnostic imaging
Male
Microradiography
Middle Aged
Osteoporosis - diagnostic imaging
Predictive Value of Tests
Regression Analysis
virtual/digital anatomy
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Summary:Osteoporosis is characterized by bone mineral density (BMD) decreasing and spongy bone rearrangement with consequent loss of elasticity and increased bone fragility. Quantitative computed tomography (QCT) quantifies bone mineral content but does not describe spongy architecture. Analysis of trabecular pattern may provide additional information to evaluate osteoporosis. The aim of this study was to determine whether the fractal analysis of the microradiography of lumbar vertebrae provides a reliable assessment of bone texture, which correlates with the BMD. The lumbar segment of the spine was removed from 22 cadavers with no history of back pain and examined with standard x‐ray, traditional tomography, and quantitative computed tomography to measure BMD. The fractal dimension, which quantifies the image fractal complexity, was calculated on microradiographs of axial sections of the fourth lumbar vertebra to determine its characteristic spongy network. The relationship between the values of the BMD and those of the fractal dimension was evaluated by linear regression and a statistically significant correlation (R = 0.96) was found. These findings suggest that the application of fractal analysis to radiological analyses can provide valuable information on the trabecular pattern of vertebrae. Thus, fractal dimensions of trabecular bone structure should be considered as a supplement to BMD evaluation in the assessment of osteoporosis. Clin. Anat. 6:414–417, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
ISSN:0897-3806
1098-2353
DOI:10.1002/ca.1076