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Trabecular bone structure parameters from 3D image processing of clinical multi-slice and cone-beam computed tomography data

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Abstract

Objective

Bone strength depends on both mineral content and bone structure. The aim of this in vitro study was to develop a method of quantitatively assessing trabecular bone structure by applying three-dimensional image processing to data acquired with multi-slice and cone-beam computed tomography using micro-computed tomography as a reference.

Materials and Methods

Fifteen bone samples from the radius were examined. After segmentation, quantitative measures of bone volume, trabecular thickness, trabecular separation, trabecular number, trabecular nodes, and trabecular termini were obtained.

Results

The clinical machines overestimated bone volume and trabecular thickness and underestimated trabecular nodes and number, but cone-beam CT to a lesser extent. Parameters obtained from cone beam CT were strongly correlated with μCT, with correlation coefficients between 0.93 and 0.98 for all parameters except trabecular termini.

Conclusions

The high correlation between cone-beam CT and micro-CT suggest the possibility of quantifying and monitoring changes of trabecular bone microarchitecture in vivo using cone beam CT.

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Acknowledgements

Andres Laib at Scanco Medical AG in Switzerland performed the µCT imaging.

Conflict of interest

None.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Medical Image Science and Visualization (CMIV), Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden

    Eva Klintström, Örjan Smedby & Rodrigo Moreno

  2. Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology at Karolinska Institutet and Department of Radiology, KUS Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden

    Torkel B. Brismar

  3. Department of Radiology, UHL County Council of Östergötland, Linköping, Sweden

    Eva Klintström & Örjan Smedby

  4. Department of Medical and Health Sciences (IMH)/Radiology, Linköping University, 58185, Linköping, Sweden

    Eva Klintström, Örjan Smedby & Rodrigo Moreno

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  1. Eva Klintström
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  4. Torkel B. Brismar
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Correspondence to Eva Klintström.

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Klintström, E., Smedby, Ö., Moreno, R. et al. Trabecular bone structure parameters from 3D image processing of clinical multi-slice and cone-beam computed tomography data. Skeletal Radiol 43, 197–204 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-013-1766-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-013-1766-5

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