Comparative measurements of bone mineral density and bone contrast values in canine femora using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and conventional digital radiography

Abstract

BackgroundAseptic loosening due to bone remodelling processes after total hip replacement is one common cause for revision surgery. In human medicine, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) is the gold standard for quantitative evaluation of bone mineral density, whereas in veterinary medicine conventional radiography is used for follow-up studies. Recently, a method has been described using digital X-ray images for quantitative assessment of grey scale values of bone contrast. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the correlation of bone mineral density (BMD) measured by DEXA with grey scale values (GV) measured in digital X-ray images (RX50, RX66) ex vivo.ResultsThe measured GV in the chosen X-ray settings showed on average a good correlation (r = 0.61) to the measured BMD with DEXA. Correlation between the two X-ray settings was very good (r = 0.81). For comparisons among regions of interests (ROIs) a difference of 8.2% was found to be statistically significant, whereas in the case of RX50 and RX66 differences of 5.3% and 4.1% were found to be statistically significant.ConclusionsResults indicate that measuring absolute changes in bone mineral density might be possible using digital radiography. Not all significant differences between ROIs detectable with DEXA can be displayed in the X-ray images because of the lower sensitivity of the radiographs. However, direct comparison of grey scale values of the periprosthetic femur in one individual patient during the follow-up period, in order to predict bone remodelling processes, should be possible, but with a lesser sensitivity than with DEXA. It is important that the same X-ray settings are chosen for each patient for follow-up studies.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12917-017-1047-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Longitudinal Radiographic Bone Density Measurement in Revision Hip Arthroplasty and Its Correlation with Clinical Outcome

“…After previous studies, the conventional radiographic analysis failed to detect some significant bone changes in ROI compared to the DEXA method [20], and only considerable changes in the bone can be imaged [21]. However, in the clinical setting for diagnosis, the changes compared to previous images play a greater factor [22].…”

Comparative investigation of bone mineral density using CT and DEXA in a canine femoral model

“…1, left). 36,37 A detailed determination of these ROIs is described in the study of Lucas et al 38 CT Measurements CT measurements were performed using a CT scanner (Philips Brilliance 64 CT Scanner, Philips Healthcare, Hamburg, Germany) with the highest possible resolution (scanning mode "carpus/tarsus"). Femora were positioned on the CT (Fig.…”

The progress in quantitative evaluation of callus during distraction osteogenesis

“…They found that the MGV analysis was accurate for BMD evaluation (the coefficients of variation were 0.10 and 0.09, respectively), and the correlation coefficients with DXA analysis were 0.910 and 0.937, respectively. Lucas et al [ 20 ] indicated a correlation between the GV measured in digital X-ray images and the BMD measured by DXA. The BMD and GV of two femurs of 15 dogs were measured and quantitatively analyzed by DXA and routine X-ray.…”