Novel Assessment of Subregional Bone Mineral Density Using DXA and pQCT and Subregional Microarchitecture Using Micro-CT in Whole Human Vertebrae: Applications, Methods, and Correspondence Between Technologies

Abstract

In the clinical environment dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is the current tool of first choice for assessing and monitoring skeletal integrity. A major drawback of standard DXA is that the bone mineral density (BMD) data cannot be used with certainty to predict who will sustain a vertebral fracture. However, measurement of BMD within vertebral subregions, instead of relying on a gross estimate of vertebral BMD, may improve diagnostic sensitivity. The aim of this article was to describe a validation study for subregional BMD measurement using lateral-projection DXA and to present preliminary data. Concurrent validity of measuring subregional BMD with DXA was established against measur..