scholarly journals Bone strain index as a predictor of further vertebral fracture in osteoporotic women: An artificial intelligence-based analysis

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. e0245967
Author(s):  
Fabio Massimo Ulivieri ◽  
Luca Rinaudo ◽  
Luca Petruccio Piodi ◽  
Carmelo Messina ◽  
Luca Maria Sconfienza ◽  
...  

Background Osteoporosis is an asymptomatic disease of high prevalence and incidence, leading to bone fractures burdened by high mortality and disability, mainly when several subsequent fractures occur. A fragility fracture predictive model, Artificial Intelligence-based, to identify dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) variables able to characterise those patients who are prone to further fractures called Bone Strain Index, was evaluated in this study. Methods In a prospective, longitudinal, multicentric study 172 female outpatients with at least one vertebral fracture at the first observation were enrolled. They performed a spine X-ray to calculate spine deformity index (SDI) and a lumbar and femoral DXA scan to assess bone mineral density (BMD) and bone strain index (BSI) at baseline and after a follow-up period of 3 years in average. At the end of the follow-up, 93 women developed a further vertebral fracture. The further vertebral fracture was considered as one unit increase of SDI. We assessed the predictive capacity of supervised Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) to distinguish women who developed a further fracture from those without it, and to detect those variables providing the maximal amount of relevant information to discriminate the two groups. ANNs choose appropriate input data automatically (TWIST-system, Training With Input Selection and Testing). Moreover, we built a semantic connectivity map usingthe Auto Contractive Map to provide further insights about the convoluted connections between the osteoporotic variables under consideration and the two scenarios (further fracture vs no further fracture). Results TWIST system selected 5 out of 13 available variables: age, menopause age, BMI, FTot BMC, FTot BSI. With training testing procedure, ANNs reached predictive accuracy of 79.36%, with a sensitivity of 75% and a specificity of 83.72%. The semantic connectivity map highlighted the role of BSI in predicting the risk of a further fracture. Conclusions Artificial Intelligence is a useful method to analyse a complex system like that regarding osteoporosis, able to identify patients prone to a further fragility fracture. BSI appears to be a useful DXA index in identifying those patients who are at risk of further vertebral fractures.

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabio Massimo Ulivieri ◽  
Luca Rinaudo ◽  
Carmelo Messina ◽  
Luca Petruccio Piodi ◽  
Davide Capra ◽  
...  

Abstract Background We applied an artificial intelligence-based model to predict fragility fractures in postmenopausal women, using different dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) parameters. Methods One hundred seventy-four postmenopausal women without vertebral fractures (VFs) at baseline (mean age 66.3 ± 9.8) were retrospectively evaluated. Data has been collected from September 2010 to August 2018. All subjects performed a spine x-ray to assess VFs, together with lumbar and femoral DXA for bone mineral density (BMD) and the bone strain index (BSI) evaluation. Follow-up exams were performed after 3.34 ± 1.91 years. Considering the occurrence of new VFs at follow-up, two groups were created: fractured versus not-fractured. We applied an artificial neural network (ANN) analysis with a predictive tool (TWIST system) to select relevant input data from a list of 13 variables including BMD and BSI. A semantic connectivity map was built to analyse the connections among variables within the groups. For group comparisons, an independent-samples t-test was used; variables were expressed as mean ± standard deviation. Results For each patient, we evaluated a total of n = 6 exams. At follow-up, n = 69 (39.6%) women developed a VF. ANNs reached a predictive accuracy of 79.56% within the training testing procedure, with a sensitivity of 80.93% and a specificity of 78.18%. The semantic connectivity map showed that a low BSI at the total femur is connected to the absence of VFs. Conclusion We found a high performance of ANN analysis in predicting the occurrence of VFs. Femoral BSI appears as a useful DXA index to identify patients at lower risk for lumbar VFs.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabio Massimo Ulivieri ◽  
Luca Rinaudo

For a proper assessment of osteoporotic fragility fracture prediction, all aspects regarding bone mineral density, bone texture, geometry and information about strength are necessary, particularly in endocrinological and rheumatological diseases, where bone quality impairment is relevant. Data regarding bone quantity (density) and, partially, bone quality (structure and geometry) are obtained by the gold standard method of dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Data about bone strength are not yet readily available. To evaluate bone resistance to strain, a new DXA-derived index based on the Finite Element Analysis (FEA) of a greyscale of density distribution measured on spine and femoral scan, namely Bone Strain Index (BSI), has recently been developed. Bone Strain Index includes local information on density distribution, bone geometry and loadings and it differs from bone mineral density (BMD) and other variables of bone quality like trabecular bone score (TBS), which are all based on the quantification of bone mass and distribution averaged over the scanned region. This state of the art review illustrates the methodology of BSI calculation, the findings of its in reproducibility and the preliminary data about its capability to predict fragility fracture and to monitor the follow up of the pharmacological treatment for osteoporosis.


Geriatrics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 56
Author(s):  
Llewelyn Jones ◽  
Sukhdev Singh ◽  
Chris Edwards ◽  
Nimit Goyal ◽  
Inder Singh

Identifying vertebral fractures is prudent in the management of osteoporosis and the current literature suggests that less than one-third of incidental vertebral fractures are reported. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of reported and unreported vertebral fractures in computerized tomography pulmonary angiograms (CTPA) and their relevance to clinical outcomes. All acutely unwell patients aged 75 or older who underwent CTPAs were reviewed retrospectively. 179 CTPAs were reviewed to identify any unreported vertebral fractures. A total of 161 were included for further analysis. Of which, 14.3% (23/161) were reported to have a vertebral fracture, however, only 8.7% (14/161) of reports used the correct terminology of ‘fracture’. On subsequent review, an additional 19.3% (31/161) were noted to have vertebral fractures. Therefore, the overall prevalence of vertebral fractures was 33.5% (54/161). A total of 22.2% (12/54) of patients with a vertebral fracture on CTPA sustained a new fragility fracture during the follow-up period (4.5 years). In comparison, a significantly lower 10.3% (11/107) of patients without a vertebral fracture developed a subsequent fragility fracture during the same period (p = 0.04). Overall mortality during the follow-up period was significantly higher for patients with vertebral fractures (68.5%, 37/54) as compared to those without (45.8%, 49/107, p = 0.006). Vertebral fractures within the elderly population are underreported on CTPAs. The significance of detecting incidental vertebral fractures is clear given the increased rates of subsequent fractures and mortality. Radiologists and physicians alike must be made aware of the importance of identifying and treating incidental, vertebral fragility fractures.


2020 ◽  
Vol 49 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. i22-i23
Author(s):  
L Jones ◽  
S Singh ◽  
C Edwards ◽  
N Goyal ◽  
I Singh

Abstract Introduction Identifying vertebral fractures is prudent in the diagnosis of osteoporosis as they occur early in this hidden condition. Unfortunately, due to their unspecific presentation, only 25% are clinically recognised. Computerised Tomography Pulmonary Angiogram (CTPA) are frequently requested to confirm pulmonary thromboembolisms, but could also aid in detecting clinically silent vertebral fractures. Current literature suggests that less than one-third of incidental vertebral fractures are reported. The aim of this study is to measure the prevalence of vertebral fractures in CTPA and its relevance to clinical outcomes. Methods This is retrospective observational study based on the analysis of existing CTPA for acutely unwell patients admitted to medical assessment unit or A & E across three acute sites within Aneurin Bevan University Health board, Wales, UK between January and December 2015. All CTPA reports were reviewed for fragility factures and CTPA images were reassessed for any unreported vertebral fractures. Age and gender were recorded for all patients. Analysis was done for all patients in respect to subsequent fragility fractures and mortality. Difference of proportion test was used to compare two groups with and without vertebral fractures. Results 179 CTPA were reviewed, 161 patients were included for further analysis. 14.3% (n=23/161) were reported to have a vertebral fracture, however only 8.7% (n=14/161) of reports used the correct terminology of ‘fracture’. On subsequent review, an additional 24.2% (n=39/161) vertebral fractures were noted. Therefore, overall prevalence of vertebral fractures was 38.5% (n=62/161). Only 9.1% (n=9/99) of patients without a vertebral fracture developed a subsequent fragility fracture. In comparison, 22.5% (n=14/62) of patients with a previous vertebral fracture sustained a new fragility fracture over next 4 years and this was significantly higher (p = 0.017). Overall mortality over 4 years follow-up was significantly higher for patients with vertebral fractures (64.5%, n=40/62) as compared to those without fractures (43.4%, n=43/99, p = 0.009). Only 48.4% (n=30/62) received osteoporosis treatment. Conclusions Vertebral fractures could be underreported by radiologists, likely due to human factors as they might be concentrating on the clinical scenario to exclude a pulmonary embolism. However, considering a significant higher mortality in patients with underlying vertebral fracture, it justifies that radiologists could be asked to examine sagittal view in the bone window for possible underlying vertebral fractures, to ensure osteoporosis is treated to guidance.


Author(s):  
C. Wolpers ◽  
R. Blaschke

Scanning microscopy was used to study the surface of human gallstones and the surface of fractures. The specimens were obtained by operation, washed with water, dried at room temperature and shadowcasted with carbon and aluminum. Most of the specimens belong to patients from a series of X-ray follow-up study, examined during the last twenty years. So it was possible to evaluate approximately the age of these gallstones and to get information on the intensity of growing and solving.Cholesterol, a group of bile pigment substances and different salts of calcium, are the main components of human gallstones. By X-ray diffraction technique, infra-red spectroscopy and by chemical analysis it was demonstrated that all three components can be found in any gallstone. In the presence of water cholesterol crystallizes in pane-like plates of the triclinic crystal system.


2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  

Introduction: Congenital Syphilis (CS) occurs through the transplacental transmission of Treponema pallidum in inadequately treated or non-treated pregnant women, and is capable of severe consequences such as miscarriage, preterm birth, congenital disease and/or neonatal death. CS has been showing an increasing incidence worldwide, with an increase of 208% from 2009 to 2015 in Brazil. Case report: 2-month old infant receives care in emergency service due to edema of right lower limb with pain in mobilization. X-ray with osteolytic lesion in distal fibula. Infant was sent to the Pediatrics Oncology clinic. Perinatal data: 7 prenatal appointments, negative serology at 10 and 30 weeks of gestation. End of pregnancy tests were not examined and tests for mother’s hospital admission were not requested. Mother undergone elective cesarean section at 38 weeks without complications. During the pediatric oncologist appointment, patient showed erythematous-squamous lesions in neck and other scar-like lesions in upper body. A new X-ray of lower limbs showed lesions in right fibula with periosteal reaction associated with aggressive osteolytic lesion compromising distal diaphysis, with cortical bone rupture and signs of pathological fracture, suggestive of eosinophilic granuloma. She was hospitalized for a lesion biopsy. Laboratory tests: hematocrit: 23.1 / hemoglobin 7.7 / leukocytes 10,130 (without left deviation) / platelets 638,000 / Negative Cytomegalovirus IgG and IgM and Toxoplasmosis IgG and IgM / VDRL 1:128. Congenital syphilis diagnosis with skin lesions, bone alterations and anemia. Lumbar puncture: glucose 55 / total proteins 26 / VDRL non reagent / 13 leukocytes (8% neutrophils; 84% monomorphonuclear; 8% macrophages) and 160 erythrocytes / negative VDRL and culture. X-ray of other long bones, ophthalmological evaluation and abdominal ultrasound without alterations. Patient was hospitalized for 14 days for treatment with Ceftriaxone 100mg/kg/day, due to the lack of Crystalline Penicillin in the hospital. She is now under outpatient follow-up. Discussion: CS is responsible for high rates of morbidity and mortality. The ongoing increase of cases of this pathology reflects a severe health issue and indicates failures in policies for the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases, with inadequate follow-up of prenatal and maternity protocols.


1970 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 75-78
Author(s):  
MA Hayee ◽  
QD Mohammad ◽  
H Rahman ◽  
M Hakim ◽  
SM Kibria

A 42-year-old female presented in Neurology Department of Sir Salimullah Medical College with gradually worsening difficulty in talking and eating for the last four months. Examination revealed dystonic tongue, macerated lips due to continuous drooling of saliva and aspirated lungs. She had no history of taking antiparkinsonian, neuroleptics or any other drugs causing dystonia. Chest X-ray revealed aspiration pneumonia corrected later by antibiotics. She was treated with botulinum toxin type-A. Twenty units of toxin was injected in six sites of the tongue. The dystonic tongue became normal by 24 hours. Subsequent 16 weeks follow up showed very good result and the patient now can talk and eat normally. (J Bangladesh Coll Phys Surg 2006; 24: 75-78)


Author(s):  
Gabriella Martino ◽  
Federica Bellone ◽  
Carmelo M. Vicario ◽  
Agostino Gaudio ◽  
Andrea Caputo ◽  
...  

Clinical psychological factors may predict medical diseases. Anxiety level has been associated with osteoporosis, but its role on bone mineral density (BMD) change is still unknown. This study aimed to investigate the association between anxiety levels and both adherence and treatment response to oral bisphosphonates (BPs) in postmenopausal osteoporosis. BMD and anxiety levels were evaluated trough dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A), respectively. Participants received weekly medication with alendronate or risedronate and were grouped according to the HAM-A scores into tertiles (HAM-A 3 > HAM-A 2 > HAM-A 1). After 24 months, BMD changes were different among the HAM-A tertiles. The median lumbar BMD change was significantly greater in both the HAM-A 2 and HAM-A 3 in comparison with the HAM-A 1. The same trend was observed for femoral BMD change. Adherence to BPs was >75% in 68% of patients in the HAM-A 1, 79% of patients in the HAM-A 2, and 89% of patients in the HAM-A 3 (p = 0.0014). After correcting for age, body mass index, depressive symptoms, and the 10-yr. probability of osteoporotic fractures, anxiety levels independently predicted lumbar BMD change (β = 0.3417, SE 0.145, p = 0.02). In conclusion, women with higher anxiety levels reported greater BMD improvement, highlighting that anxiety was associated with adherence and response to osteoporosis medical treatment, although further research on this topic is needed.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document