Opportunistic Screening for Osteoporosis by CT as Compared with DXA
Issued Date
2024-12-01
Resource Type
eISSN
20754418
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85213429802
Journal Title
Diagnostics
Volume
14
Issue
24
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Diagnostics Vol.14 No.24 (2024)
Suggested Citation
Chaisen M., Sritara C., Chitrapazt N., Suppasilp C., Chamroonrat W., Promma S., Kositwattanarerk A., Sakulpisuti C., Thamnirat K. Opportunistic Screening for Osteoporosis by CT as Compared with DXA. Diagnostics Vol.14 No.24 (2024). doi:10.3390/diagnostics14242846 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/102605
Title
Opportunistic Screening for Osteoporosis by CT as Compared with DXA
Corresponding Author(s)
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Background: Osteoporosis is commonly evaluated using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) for bone mineral density (BMD). Non-contrast computed tomography (CT) scans provide an alternative for opportunistic osteoporosis assessment. This study aimed to evaluate screening thresholds for osteoporosis based on CT attenuation values in Hounsfield units (HU) of L1–L4 vertebrae from CT scans of the abdominal region, compared to DXA assessments of the lumbar spine and hips. Methods: Conducted retrospectively over approximately two years, the analysis included 109 patients who had both CT and DXA scans within 12 months, excluding those with metal artifacts affecting the vertebrae. CT attenuation values in the trabecular region of the vertebrae were measured and compared among three groups based on the lowest T-score from DXA. Results: In a predominantly female cohort (mean age 66.3 years), the lowest CT attenuation values for L1–L4 vertebrae showed a moderate correlation with the lowest T-score, with a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.542 (95% CI: 0.388, 0.667). A HU threshold of ≤142 at the L1 vertebra showed 91.9% sensitivity and 48.4% specificity, while a threshold of ≤160 HU showed 97.3% sensitivity and 31.3% specificity for screening osteoporosis. Conclusions: This study supports the use of non-contrast CT with these HU thresholds as an opportunistic tool for osteoporosis assessment.