The quantification of 3D-trabecular architecture of the fourth cervical vertebra using CT osteoabsorptiometry and micro-CT

Abstract Background Bone functional adaptation rationalises the inhomogeneous morphology found in bone. By means of computed tomography osteoabsorptiometry and micro-computed tomography, the mineralisation of the subchondral endplates and trabecular microstructure of vertebral bodies can be assessed...

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Main Authors: Amélie Poilliot, Max Hans-Peter Gay-Dujak, Magdalena Müller-Gerbl
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2023-04-01
Series:Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13018-023-03760-2
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author Amélie Poilliot
Max Hans-Peter Gay-Dujak
Magdalena Müller-Gerbl
author_facet Amélie Poilliot
Max Hans-Peter Gay-Dujak
Magdalena Müller-Gerbl
author_sort Amélie Poilliot
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Bone functional adaptation rationalises the inhomogeneous morphology found in bone. By means of computed tomography osteoabsorptiometry and micro-computed tomography, the mineralisation of the subchondral endplates and trabecular microstructure of vertebral bodies can be assessed to visualise the chronic loading conditions bone endures over time. In this study, we determined cancellous and compartment-specific trabecular architecture in the cervical vertebra to aid with successful integration of orthopaedic implants. Methods We examined the micro-computed tomography scans of seven prospectively healthy C4 vertebrae, evaluated their microstructure parameters (bone volume fraction (BV/TV), bone surface density (BS/BV), trabecular thickness (Tb.Th), trabecular separation (Tb.Sp), trabecular number per volume (Tb.N), connectivity density (Conn.D), structure model index (SMI), and degree of anisotropy (DA), and compared the trabecular architecture in twelve predefined volumes of interest: the cranial and caudal 0–10%, 10–15%, and 25–50% in both the ventral and dorsal half. Using computed tomography osteoabsorptiometry, the subchondral bone mineralisation of the subchondral endplates of nine C4 vertebrae was also evaluated. Results Highest mineralisation is located dorsally at the endplates. Tb.Sp and Tb.N were the only two parameters that displayed significant differences in averaged values of VOI. Nonetheless, distinct, consistent ventral–dorsal modulations were seen in matched sample ventral–dorsal comparison in the BV/TV, BS/BV, and SMI overall levels, as well as in Tb.Th in the three caudal levels. To simplify, the vertebra was split into ventral–cranial, dorsal–cranial, ventral–caudal, and dorsal–caudal equal quarters. The ventral quarters display lower BV/TV, respectively, higher BS/BV and SMI than their sample paired dorsal quarters. The ventral–cranial quarter shows the lowest BV/TV and the highest BS/BV and SMI, describing spacious cancellous bone with rod-like trabeculae. In contrast, the dorsal–caudal quarter exhibits the highest BV/TV and Tb.Th and the lowest BS/BV and SMI, illustrating thicker, denser, and more plate-like trabeculae. The dorsal–cranial and ventral–caudal quarters are comparable and represent intermediate characteristics. Conclusions CT-OAM and µCT demonstrate the interdependence of compact and trabecular bone in response to long-term loading conditions. Results show highest mineralisation in the dorso-caudal part of the C4 vertebra. Recommended placement of orthopaedic implants should be positioned dorsally with screws anchored in the dorsal–caudal region.
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spelling doaj.art-5a3342cf520a473b9e89b2a4c99506612023-04-16T11:20:04ZengBMCJournal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research1749-799X2023-04-0118111010.1186/s13018-023-03760-2The quantification of 3D-trabecular architecture of the fourth cervical vertebra using CT osteoabsorptiometry and micro-CTAmélie Poilliot0Max Hans-Peter Gay-Dujak1Magdalena Müller-Gerbl2Department of Biomedicine, Musculoskeletal Research, Institute of Anatomy, University of BaselDepartment of Biomedicine, Musculoskeletal Research, Institute of Anatomy, University of BaselDepartment of Biomedicine, Musculoskeletal Research, Institute of Anatomy, University of BaselAbstract Background Bone functional adaptation rationalises the inhomogeneous morphology found in bone. By means of computed tomography osteoabsorptiometry and micro-computed tomography, the mineralisation of the subchondral endplates and trabecular microstructure of vertebral bodies can be assessed to visualise the chronic loading conditions bone endures over time. In this study, we determined cancellous and compartment-specific trabecular architecture in the cervical vertebra to aid with successful integration of orthopaedic implants. Methods We examined the micro-computed tomography scans of seven prospectively healthy C4 vertebrae, evaluated their microstructure parameters (bone volume fraction (BV/TV), bone surface density (BS/BV), trabecular thickness (Tb.Th), trabecular separation (Tb.Sp), trabecular number per volume (Tb.N), connectivity density (Conn.D), structure model index (SMI), and degree of anisotropy (DA), and compared the trabecular architecture in twelve predefined volumes of interest: the cranial and caudal 0–10%, 10–15%, and 25–50% in both the ventral and dorsal half. Using computed tomography osteoabsorptiometry, the subchondral bone mineralisation of the subchondral endplates of nine C4 vertebrae was also evaluated. Results Highest mineralisation is located dorsally at the endplates. Tb.Sp and Tb.N were the only two parameters that displayed significant differences in averaged values of VOI. Nonetheless, distinct, consistent ventral–dorsal modulations were seen in matched sample ventral–dorsal comparison in the BV/TV, BS/BV, and SMI overall levels, as well as in Tb.Th in the three caudal levels. To simplify, the vertebra was split into ventral–cranial, dorsal–cranial, ventral–caudal, and dorsal–caudal equal quarters. The ventral quarters display lower BV/TV, respectively, higher BS/BV and SMI than their sample paired dorsal quarters. The ventral–cranial quarter shows the lowest BV/TV and the highest BS/BV and SMI, describing spacious cancellous bone with rod-like trabeculae. In contrast, the dorsal–caudal quarter exhibits the highest BV/TV and Tb.Th and the lowest BS/BV and SMI, illustrating thicker, denser, and more plate-like trabeculae. The dorsal–cranial and ventral–caudal quarters are comparable and represent intermediate characteristics. Conclusions CT-OAM and µCT demonstrate the interdependence of compact and trabecular bone in response to long-term loading conditions. Results show highest mineralisation in the dorso-caudal part of the C4 vertebra. Recommended placement of orthopaedic implants should be positioned dorsally with screws anchored in the dorsal–caudal region.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13018-023-03760-2Cancellous boneCervical vertebraComputed tomography osteoabsorptiometryEndplate mineralisationMicro-computed tomographyTrabecular architecture
spellingShingle Amélie Poilliot
Max Hans-Peter Gay-Dujak
Magdalena Müller-Gerbl
The quantification of 3D-trabecular architecture of the fourth cervical vertebra using CT osteoabsorptiometry and micro-CT
Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research
Cancellous bone
Cervical vertebra
Computed tomography osteoabsorptiometry
Endplate mineralisation
Micro-computed tomography
Trabecular architecture
title The quantification of 3D-trabecular architecture of the fourth cervical vertebra using CT osteoabsorptiometry and micro-CT
title_full The quantification of 3D-trabecular architecture of the fourth cervical vertebra using CT osteoabsorptiometry and micro-CT
title_fullStr The quantification of 3D-trabecular architecture of the fourth cervical vertebra using CT osteoabsorptiometry and micro-CT
title_full_unstemmed The quantification of 3D-trabecular architecture of the fourth cervical vertebra using CT osteoabsorptiometry and micro-CT
title_short The quantification of 3D-trabecular architecture of the fourth cervical vertebra using CT osteoabsorptiometry and micro-CT
title_sort quantification of 3d trabecular architecture of the fourth cervical vertebra using ct osteoabsorptiometry and micro ct
topic Cancellous bone
Cervical vertebra
Computed tomography osteoabsorptiometry
Endplate mineralisation
Micro-computed tomography
Trabecular architecture
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s13018-023-03760-2
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