We have recently developed x-ray computed tomography methods to accurately measure the regional bone mineral density (rBMD) within small volumes (.004cc) of individual vertebra and produce detailed (n = 655,360), three dimensional mappings of vertebral rBMD for human submects. Compared to previous computed tomography methods, which assay the bone mineral density within single large volumes, the regional method produces a complete description of the spatial distribution of bone material in a vertebra. Our preliminary results indicate that vertebral cancellous bone is distributed with varied, non-uniform patterns within the vertebral body. The objective of the proposed research is to characterize in-vivo vertebral bone architecture based on measured rBMD and evaluate the hypothesis that changes in bone architecture associated with metabolic bone disease are of importance in the pathogenesis of vertebral fractures. Specifically we wish to improve our ability to characterize measured rBMD data, evaluate the vertebral rBMD characteristics of asymptomatic volunteers and subjects with minimal osteoporotic disease, establish whether vertebral bone loss occurs with regional variations, and measure the relationship between rBMD and the mechanical properties of in-vivo specimens. Overall, the proposed research involves measurements of vertebral rBMD on 800 new in-vivo vertebrae (data has already been acquired on 200) and 336 measurements on in-vitro specimens. The bone architecture of each vertebra will be described by 31 parameters computed from the detailed, three dimensional mapping of rBMD.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01AR038874-02
Application #
3158862
Study Section
Diagnostic Radiology Study Section (RNM)
Project Start
1987-08-01
Project End
1990-07-31
Budget Start
1988-08-01
Budget End
1989-07-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
1988
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Henry Ford Health System
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
Detroit
State
MI
Country
United States
Zip Code
48202
McCubbrey, D A; Cody, D D; Peterson, E L et al. (1995) Static and fatigue failure properties of thoracic and lumbar vertebral bodies and their relation to regional density. J Biomech 28:891-9
Flynn, M J; Cody, D D (1993) The assessment of vertebral bone macroarchitecture with X-ray computed tomography. Calcif Tissue Int 53 Suppl 1:S170-5
Cody, D D; Goldstein, S A; Flynn, M J et al. (1991) Correlations between vertebral regional bone mineral density (rBMD) and whole bone fracture load. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 16:146-54
Cody, D D; Flynn, M J; Vickers, D S (1989) A technique for measuring regional bone mineral density in human lumbar vertebral bodies. Med Phys 16:766-72