Dual-Energy Computed Tomography Virtual Noncalcium Technique in Diagnosing Osteoporosis: Correlation With Quantitative Computed Tomography

Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate dual-energy computed tomography (CT) virtual noncalcium (VNCa) technique as a means of quantifying osteoporosis. Methods Dual-energy CT scans were obtained prospectively, targeting lumbar regions of 55 patients with chronic low back pain. A standard quantitative CT (QCT) phantom was positioned at the waist during each procedure, using proprietary software (QCT Pro; Mindways, Tex) to measure bone mineral density (BMD) in each vertebral body. Vendor dual-energy analytic software was altered with a specially modified configuration file to produce a “Virtual Non Calcium” or “VNCa” output, as such output variables were remapped to produce the following calcium values rather than iodine, yielding the following QCT parameters: CT value of calcium (originally “contrast media” [CM]), CT value of mixed energy imaging (regular CT value [rCT]), calcium density (originally “contrast agent density” [CaD]), and fat fraction (FF). Pearson test served to assess correlations between BMD and these parameters. Multiple linear regression analysis was applied to construct an equation for generating regressive BMD (rBMD) values. In gauging diagnostic accuracies, the criterion-standard BMD cutoff point (
Source: Journal of Computer Assisted Tomography - Category: Radiology Tags: Musculoskeletal Imaging Source Type: research