Current diagnostic techniques in the evaluation of bone architecture

Curr Osteoporos Rep. 2004 Jun;2(2):47-52. doi: 10.1007/s11914-004-0003-5.

Abstract

Bone quality, which encompasses trabecular bone and cortical bone architecture, bone mineralization, turnover, and microdamage, is an essential component of bone strength. Therefore, bone quality, bone density, and total content are the most important parameters in the diagnosis of osteoporosis. Noninvasive assessment of bone quality has recently received considerable attention because bone density alone is not a surrogate for fracture prevalence and occurrence, and does not completely explain the therapeutic efficacy of emerging treatments. This paper will focus on the noninvasive assessment of trabecular bone architecture, one of the factors that governs bone strength and may be categorized as a contributor to bone quality. The methodologies described will include magnetic resonance imaging, clinical multislice spiral computed tomography, and micro-computed tomography, along with computerized analysis of radiographic patterns of trabecular bone.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Bone Density / physiology
  • Bone and Bones / pathology
  • Bone and Bones / ultrastructure
  • Diagnostic Imaging / methods*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Imaging, Three-Dimensional*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods
  • Male
  • Microradiography / methods*
  • Middle Aged
  • Osteoporosis / diagnosis*
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods