scholarly journals Regional distribution of computed tomography attenuation across the lumbar endplate

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (10) ◽  
pp. e0259001
Author(s):  
Kazuyuki Segami ◽  
Alejandro A. Espinoza Orías ◽  
Hiroe Miyamoto ◽  
Koji Kanzaki ◽  
Howard S. An ◽  
...  

The vertebral endplate forms a structural boundary between intervertebral disc and the trabecular bone of the vertebral body. As a mechanical interface between the stiff bone and resilient disc, the endplate is the weakest portion of the vertebral-disc complex and is predisposed to mechanical failure. However, the literature concerning the bone mineral density (BMD) distribution within the spinal endplate is comparatively sparse. The objective of this study is to investigate the three-dimensional (3D) distribution of computed tomography (CT) attenuation across the lumbosacral endplate measured in Hounsfield Units (HU). A total of 308 endplates from 28 cadaveric fresh-frozen lumbosacral spines were used in this study. Each spine was CT-scanned and the resulting DICOM data was used to obtain HU values of the bone endplate. Each individual endplate surface was subdivided into five clinically-relevant topographic zones. Attenuation was analyzed by spinal levels, sites (superior or inferior endplate) and endplate region. The highest HU values were found at the S1 endplate. Comparisons between the superior and inferior endplates showed the HU values in inferior endplates were significantly higher than those in the superior endplates within the same vertebra and the HU values in endplates cranial to the disc were significantly higher than those in the endplates caudal to the disc within the same disc. Attenuation in the peripheral region was significantly higher than in the central region by 32.5%. Regional comparison within the peripheral region showed the HU values in the posterior region were significantly higher than those in the anterior region and the HU values in the left region were significantly higher than those in the right region. This study provided detailed data on the regional HU distribution across the lumbosacral endplate, which can be useful to understand causes of some endplate lesions, such as fracture, and also to design interbody instrumentation.

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (9) ◽  
pp. 869-876 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bar Cohen ◽  
Nurith Hiller ◽  
Auryan Szalat ◽  
Vladimir Vainstein

Objective: Bone density loss and increased risk for osteoporosis are of concern in Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) patients. Routinely performed positron emission tomography–computed tomography (PET-CT) scans could be informative in assessing bone mineral density (BMD). Methods: This retrospective study included 80 adults with newly diagnosed HL treated with standard first-line chemotherapy regimens. PET-CT scans performed at diagnosis (PET-CT1), at the end of chemotherapy (PET-CT2), and at follow-up after remission (PET-CT3) were used to assess BMD changes by measuring lumbar vertebrae CT attenuation. A CT attenuation threshold of 160 Hounsfield units was used to define abnormal BMD. Results: Following chemotherapy, comparison of PET-CT2 with PET-CT1 revealed a mean (standard deviation) 14.2% (10.4%) BMD reduction ( P<.001). On PET-CT3 performed at 14.6 (3.25) months after the last course of chemotherapy, a slight improvement (4.6% [10.4%]) in comparison to PET-CT2 was noted. Twelve patients (15%) converted from normal baseline BMD on PET-CT1 to abnormal BMD after chemotherapy on PET-CT2. Age, baseline BMD, and steroid cumulative dose were associated with BMD decline and risk for abnormal BMD after chemotherapy. No clinical fractures were reported, and only one rib fracture was incidentally captured (1.25%). Conclusion: HL patients treated with common first-line chemotherapies demonstrate a significant decline in bone density on routine PET-CT scans. Opportunistic use of PET-CT scan has the potential to detect HL patients at high risk for developing osteoporosis and to guide clinicians regarding monitoring and intervention. Abbreviations: BMD = bone mineral density; CT = computed tomography; DXA = dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry; HL = Hodgkin lymphoma; HU = Hounsfield units; L = lumbarvertebra; PET-CT = positron emission tomography-computed tomography; T = thoracic vertebra


2008 ◽  
Vol 78 (5) ◽  
pp. 880-888 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian Schlueter ◽  
Ki Beom Kim ◽  
Donald Oliver ◽  
Gus Sortiropoulos

Abstract Objective: To determine the ideal window level and width needed for cone beam computed three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of the condyle. Materials and Methods: Linear dimensions were measured with a digital caliper to assess the anatomic truth for 50 dry human mandibular condyles. Condyles were scanned with the i-CAT cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and 3D-models were reconstructed. Three linear three-dimensional measurements were made on each of the 50 condyles at 8 different Hounsfield unit (HU) windows. These measurements were compared with the anatomic truth. Volumetric measurements were also completed on all 50 condyles, at 23 different window levels, to define the volumetric distribution of bone mineral density (BMD) within the condyle. Results: Significant differences were found in two of the three linear measurement groups at and below the recommended viewing window for osseous structures. The most accurate measurements were made within the soft tissue range for HU window levels. Volumetric distribution measurements revealed that the condyles were mostly comprised of low-density bone, and that condyles exhibiting significant changes in linear measurements were shown to have higher percentages of low-density bone than those condyles with little change from the anatomic truth. Conclusions: CBCT assessment of the mandibular condyle, using the 3D reconstruction, is most accurate when accomplished at density levels below that recommended for osseous examination. However, utilizing lower window levels which extend into the soft tissue range, may compromise one's capacity to view the bony topography.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Soeun Lim ◽  
Seoung-Jin Hong ◽  
Joo-Young Ohe ◽  
Janghyun Paek

Few studies have been reported on the scientific measurements of the thickness and dimensions of the posterior palatal seal (PPS) area. The purpose of this study is to measure and analyze the thickness of palatal mucosa by using a three-dimensional (3D) model reconstructed with computed tomography (CT) images and to present objective values by identifying the PPS area. The CT images were reconstructed as a 3D model by separating the maxillary palate mucosa and teeth. Each reconstructed model was analyzed and the thickness was measured at 93 crossing points of each divided plane. The dimension of the PPS area was measured and the right and left dimensions of the PPS area were compared. The thickness of the palatal mucosa was thicker toward the posterior area. The thickness increased in the lateral direction and decreased again. In the PPS area, the mean dimension between the rearmost of anterior border and the most posterior line was 2.19 mm and the mean dimension between the forefront of anterior border and the most posterior line was 5.19 mm in the right side and 5.16 mm in the left side. The mean dimension from the center of the palate to the right most forward point was 6.85 mm, and the left was 7.36 mm. The new measurement method of palatal mucosal thickness is noninvasive, accurate, and easy to store and study, so it can be used effectively in planning and manufacturing the maxillary complete denture in the digital workflows.


2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 4-8
Author(s):  
Aleksandr V. Kolsanov ◽  
Maksim N. Myakotnykh ◽  
Anatolii V. Tolstov ◽  
Aleksei A. Mironov

Objectives to study the variability of the level of portal vein formation in relation to the spinal column according to computed tomography data. Material and methods. The study evaluated the results of 100 multispiral (multislice) computed tomography (MSCT) scans of the abdominal organs done in the period of 2018-2019 and collected in the archive of the Clinics of the Samara State Medical University. For mathematical modeling and the creation of three-dimensional models of the vascular bed, we used the plug-ins in the software "Luch" and "Avtoplan" that made it possible to obtain the three-dimensional models based on MSCT data. The level of portal vein formation relative to the spinal column was studied. Results. The level of portal portal vein formation relative to the spinal column varied from the lower edge of the twelfth thoracic vertebra (ThXII) to the upper edge of the second lumbar vertebra (LII). Most often, the portal vein was formed at the level of the middle of the first thoracic vertebra body (LI). This level of portal vein formation was detected in 23% of cases. In 64% of cases, the portal vein was formed at the level of the right edge of the vertebra.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jianbin Zhang ◽  
Yilv Zhu ◽  
Hongwei Li ◽  
Caihua Yu ◽  
Weiwei Min

Abstract BackgroundAnatomic variation may increase the difficulty and risk for anatomic segmentectomy. The preoperative three-dimensional computed tomography bronchography and angiography(3D-CTBA) can provide a detailed model of the segmental structure, and contribute to precise and safe segmentectomy.Case presentationWe report a case with anomalous bronchi and pulmonary vessels in the right upper posterior segment (RS2), under the guidance of 3D-CTBA, anatomic RS2segmentoctomywas performed accurately and safely, the postoperative condition was uneventful.ConclusionsThis rare case highlights the importance of 3D-CTBA to guild accurate segmentectomy with anatomic variation.


2019 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 215145931984740 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina M. Ward ◽  
Mark A. Arnold ◽  
Osa Emohare

Introduction: This study examines how many patients with distal radius fracture (DRF) eligible for bone health evaluation could potentially be screened using bone mineral density (BMD) estimation by L1 vertebra computed tomography (CT) attenuation obtained for other purposes. Materials and Methods: For all adult patients with DRF who presented over a 5-year period, we recorded the age, sex, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) results up to 3 years prior to injury or 1 year post-injury, and L1 CT attenuation on any CT including L1 that had been performed within 6 months of their fracture. 1 We compared the availability of L1 CT attenuation measurement to the rate of DXA scan use. We calculated the percentage of patients with osteoporosis and compared attenuation results to DXA results in those patients where both tests were available. Results: Of 1853 patients with DRF, an L1 CT had been obtained in 195 patients. Of the 685 patients who met criteria for osteoporosis screening, 253 (37%) patients had undergone only DXA screening, 68 (10%) patients had an L1 CT only, and 18 (2%) patients had both tests. Of the 86 patients who met criteria for osteoporosis screening and had an adequate CT, 67 (78%) demonstrated L1 attenuation <135 HU, and 79 (92%) had CT attenuation <160 HU. Discussion: Our study found that 10% of patients with a distal radius fracture who met the criteria for osteoporosis screening had a CT scan that could be used to estimate bone density and that the majority of those patients met criteria for osteoporosis based on CT attenuation. Conclusions: Utilization of opportunistic BMD screening with L1 CT attenuation offers the potential to increase osteoporosis screening from 40% to 50% of eligible patients and make the diagnosis of osteoporosis in an additional 8% of patients with DRF at no additional cost.


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