Correlation of Hounsfield Units with Bone Mineral Density and T-Score in Chinese Adults

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to examine the association between vertebral cancellous Hounsfield Units (HUs), age, Bone Mineral Density (BMD), and T-score in a sample of Chinese adults. MethodsThe study included a sample of 739 participants. Age, BMD, and T-score of each participant were recorded, and HUs were measured in the L1-L4 vertebrae. ResultsData analysis revealed that Hounsfield Unit of vertebral cancellous bone across the pedicle level (HU-PL) decreased with age, with females having higher values than males up to age 50 and vice versa thereafter. Furthermore, a positive correlation was found between HU-PL and BMD/T-score in the L1 to L4 vertebrae, but with a weaker correlation in the L4 vertebrae. Additionally, HU values for those with osteoporosis were significantly lower than those with osteopenia and normal bone health. ConclusionFrom the findings of this study, it can be concluded that HUs may be a potential predictor of bone health, with implications for pre-surgical assessment of the quality of bone-screw interfaces for spinal surgery.