Quantifying the bone marrow composition of the healthy adult wrist with dual-energy CT

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Purpose: Purpose of this study was to investigate Dual-energy CT (DECT) derived virtual non-calcium (VNCa) values for absolute quantification of the bone marrow composition in the wrist. Materials and Methods: We prospectively included consecutive adult participants and examined their wrists with DECT. Ranges of VNCa and calcium values were measured in the carpal bones, radius and ulna using a semi-automatic method. Bones with bone marrow edema, assessed by two blinded radiologists, were excluded. After determining optimum parameters for the three-material decomposition, the influence of calcium values, age and sex on VNCa values was assessed using multiple linear regression. Results: 41 participants (Median age 53 years, range 20 years – 88 years, 51 % men) were enrolled and 399 bones assessed. At participant level mean VNCa values were -143 HU (SD 14 HU) using the current parameters for three-material decomposition and -104HU (SD 11 HU) with optimized parameters. There was a strong and significant influence of calcium values on VNCa values with the current parameters (p < 0.001, -0.137 HU[VNCa] / HU[Calcium]). With optimized parameters the calcium values and sex were not statistically significant predictors of VNCa values. Age was a significant, but clinically negligible, predictor (p = 0.03, -0.225 HU / year). Conclusions: After optimizing three-material decomposition parameters, calcium values, age and sex do not substantially influence virtual non-calcium values, and DECT may therefore be used for absolute quantification of the bone marrow composition - alleviating the need for reference bones or groups.

Original languageEnglish
Article number109725
JournalEuropean Journal of Radiology
Volume139
ISSN0720-048X
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2021

    Research areas

  • Bone marrow, Bone marrow oedema, Dual-energy computed tomography, Multidetector computed tomography, Scaphoid, Wrist

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