Assessment of trabecular structure using high resolution CT images and texture analysis

Purpose: Our goal was to use high resolution (HR) CT images combined with texture analysis to investigate the trabecular structure of human vertebral specimens and to compare these techniques with bone mineral density (BMD) in the prediction of bone strength. Method: HR CT images with a slice thickness of 1 mm were obtained of 28 bone cubes. Four different groups of texture analysis techniques were used to assess these images. In addition, quantitative CT (QCT) was performed and elastic modulus (EM) was determined biomechanically. Results: R-2 between EM and BMD was 0.78 (p < 0.01), R-2 values for EM versus most of the texture measures were also significant. Texture measures in addition to measures of BMD in a multivariate regression model significantly increased R-2 UP to 0.87. Conclusion: In an experimental setting, texture parameters calculated using HR CT images correlated significantly with EM. Combining texture measures with BMD improved the prediction of EM significantly.