Dark-field radiography for the detection of bone microstructure changes in osteoporotic human lumbar spine specimens
Abstract Background Dark-field radiography imaging exploits the wave character of x-rays to measure small-angle scattering on material interfaces, providing structural information with low radiation exposure. We explored the potential of dark-field imaging of bone microstructure to improve the asses...
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SpringerOpen
2024-11-01
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| Series: | European Radiology Experimental |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s41747-024-00524-3 |
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| author | Jon F. Rischewski Florian T. Gassert Theresa Urban Johannes Hammel Alexander Kufner Christian Braun Maximilian Lochschmidt Marcus R. Makowski Daniela Pfeiffer Alexandra S. Gersing Franz Pfeiffer |
| author_facet | Jon F. Rischewski Florian T. Gassert Theresa Urban Johannes Hammel Alexander Kufner Christian Braun Maximilian Lochschmidt Marcus R. Makowski Daniela Pfeiffer Alexandra S. Gersing Franz Pfeiffer |
| author_sort | Jon F. Rischewski |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Dark-field radiography imaging exploits the wave character of x-rays to measure small-angle scattering on material interfaces, providing structural information with low radiation exposure. We explored the potential of dark-field imaging of bone microstructure to improve the assessment of bone strength in osteoporosis. Methods We prospectively examined 14 osteoporotic/osteopenic and 21 non-osteoporotic/osteopenic human cadaveric vertebrae (L2–L4) with a clinical dark-field radiography system, micro-computed tomography (CT), and spectral CT. Dark-field images were obtained in both vertical and horizontal sample positions. Bone microstructural parameters (trabecular number, Tb.N; trabecular thickness, Tb.Th; bone volume fraction, BV/TV; degree of anisotropy, DA) were measured using standard ex vivo micro-CT, while hydroxyapatite density was measured using spectral CT. Correlations were assessed using Spearman rank correlation coefficients. Results The measured dark-field signal was lower in osteoporotic/osteopenic vertebrae (vertical position, 0.23 ± 0.05 versus 0.29 ± 0.04, p < 0.001; horizontal position, 0.28 ± 0.06 versus 0.34 ± 0.04, p = 0.003). The dark-field signal from the vertical position correlated significantly with Tb.N (ρ = 0.46, p = 0.005), BV/TV (ρ = 0.45, p = 0.007), DA (ρ = -0.43, p = 0.010), and hydroxyapatite density (ρ = 0.53, p = 0.010). The calculated ratio of vertical/horizontal dark-field signal correlated significantly with Tb.N (ρ = 0.43, p = 0.011), BV/TV (ρ = 0.36, p = 0.032), DA (ρ = -0.51, p = 0.002), and hydroxyapatite density (ρ = 0.42, p = 0.049). Conclusion Dark-field radiography is a feasible modality for drawing conclusions on bone microarchitecture in human cadaveric vertebral bone. Relevance statement Gaining knowledge of the microarchitecture of bone contributes crucially to predicting bone strength in osteoporosis. This novel radiographic approach based on dark-field x-rays provides insights into bone microstructure at a lower radiation exposure than that of CT modalities. Key Points Dark-field radiography can give information on bone microstructure with low radiation exposure. The dark-field signal correlated positively with bone microstructure parameters. Dark-field signal correlated negatively with the degree of anisotropy. Dark-field radiography helps to determine the directionality of trabecular loss. Graphical Abstract |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-53b273cffa1d4d3c9d93ded4bfaa6615 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2509-9280 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-11-01 |
| publisher | SpringerOpen |
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| series | European Radiology Experimental |
| spelling | doaj-art-53b273cffa1d4d3c9d93ded4bfaa66152025-08-20T02:50:05ZengSpringerOpenEuropean Radiology Experimental2509-92802024-11-018111110.1186/s41747-024-00524-3Dark-field radiography for the detection of bone microstructure changes in osteoporotic human lumbar spine specimensJon F. Rischewski0Florian T. Gassert1Theresa Urban2Johannes Hammel3Alexander Kufner4Christian Braun5Maximilian Lochschmidt6Marcus R. Makowski7Daniela Pfeiffer8Alexandra S. Gersing9Franz Pfeiffer10Institute for Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, University Hospital, LMU MunichDepartment of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technical University of MunichDepartment of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technical University of MunichDepartment of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technical University of MunichDepartment of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technical University of MunichInstitute of Forensic Medicine, University Hospital of Munich, LMU MunichDepartment of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technical University of MunichDepartment of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technical University of MunichDepartment of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technical University of MunichInstitute for Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, University Hospital, LMU MunichDepartment of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technical University of MunichAbstract Background Dark-field radiography imaging exploits the wave character of x-rays to measure small-angle scattering on material interfaces, providing structural information with low radiation exposure. We explored the potential of dark-field imaging of bone microstructure to improve the assessment of bone strength in osteoporosis. Methods We prospectively examined 14 osteoporotic/osteopenic and 21 non-osteoporotic/osteopenic human cadaveric vertebrae (L2–L4) with a clinical dark-field radiography system, micro-computed tomography (CT), and spectral CT. Dark-field images were obtained in both vertical and horizontal sample positions. Bone microstructural parameters (trabecular number, Tb.N; trabecular thickness, Tb.Th; bone volume fraction, BV/TV; degree of anisotropy, DA) were measured using standard ex vivo micro-CT, while hydroxyapatite density was measured using spectral CT. Correlations were assessed using Spearman rank correlation coefficients. Results The measured dark-field signal was lower in osteoporotic/osteopenic vertebrae (vertical position, 0.23 ± 0.05 versus 0.29 ± 0.04, p < 0.001; horizontal position, 0.28 ± 0.06 versus 0.34 ± 0.04, p = 0.003). The dark-field signal from the vertical position correlated significantly with Tb.N (ρ = 0.46, p = 0.005), BV/TV (ρ = 0.45, p = 0.007), DA (ρ = -0.43, p = 0.010), and hydroxyapatite density (ρ = 0.53, p = 0.010). The calculated ratio of vertical/horizontal dark-field signal correlated significantly with Tb.N (ρ = 0.43, p = 0.011), BV/TV (ρ = 0.36, p = 0.032), DA (ρ = -0.51, p = 0.002), and hydroxyapatite density (ρ = 0.42, p = 0.049). Conclusion Dark-field radiography is a feasible modality for drawing conclusions on bone microarchitecture in human cadaveric vertebral bone. Relevance statement Gaining knowledge of the microarchitecture of bone contributes crucially to predicting bone strength in osteoporosis. This novel radiographic approach based on dark-field x-rays provides insights into bone microstructure at a lower radiation exposure than that of CT modalities. Key Points Dark-field radiography can give information on bone microstructure with low radiation exposure. The dark-field signal correlated positively with bone microstructure parameters. Dark-field signal correlated negatively with the degree of anisotropy. Dark-field radiography helps to determine the directionality of trabecular loss. Graphical Abstracthttps://doi.org/10.1186/s41747-024-00524-3Bone densityCadaverLumbar vertebraeOsteoporosisRadiography |
| spellingShingle | Jon F. Rischewski Florian T. Gassert Theresa Urban Johannes Hammel Alexander Kufner Christian Braun Maximilian Lochschmidt Marcus R. Makowski Daniela Pfeiffer Alexandra S. Gersing Franz Pfeiffer Dark-field radiography for the detection of bone microstructure changes in osteoporotic human lumbar spine specimens European Radiology Experimental Bone density Cadaver Lumbar vertebrae Osteoporosis Radiography |
| title | Dark-field radiography for the detection of bone microstructure changes in osteoporotic human lumbar spine specimens |
| title_full | Dark-field radiography for the detection of bone microstructure changes in osteoporotic human lumbar spine specimens |
| title_fullStr | Dark-field radiography for the detection of bone microstructure changes in osteoporotic human lumbar spine specimens |
| title_full_unstemmed | Dark-field radiography for the detection of bone microstructure changes in osteoporotic human lumbar spine specimens |
| title_short | Dark-field radiography for the detection of bone microstructure changes in osteoporotic human lumbar spine specimens |
| title_sort | dark field radiography for the detection of bone microstructure changes in osteoporotic human lumbar spine specimens |
| topic | Bone density Cadaver Lumbar vertebrae Osteoporosis Radiography |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s41747-024-00524-3 |
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