TRABECULAR TEXTURE ANALYSIS OF CT IMAGES IN THE RELATIONSHIP WITH SPINAL FRACTURE

PURPOSE: To evaluate age-related changes in trabecular texture and bone mineral density (BMD) and to determine the usefulness of texture analysis in the assessment of the risk of fracture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The vertebral trabecular BMD was measured in 209 women aged 18-86 years. Run length analysis was applied to computed tomographic images obtained with 2-mm section thickness. The width of the trabecula (T-texture) and the width of the intertrabecular space (I-texture) were calculated. RESULTS: I-texture significantly increased with age in women 50 years of age or older (P < .0001). Women with fracture had significantly lower BMD (P < .0001 at 60-69 years, P < .05 at 70-79 years) and significantly higher I-texture (P < .05 at 60-69 years, P < .01 at 70-79 years). For fracture risk, BMD had the highest sensitivity and I-texture had the highest specificity in women aged 60-69 years; I-texture had the highest sensitivity and specificity in women aged 70-79 years. CONCLUSION: Texture analysis was helpful in the assessment of fracture risk, especially in elderly women.