Abstract
Several noninvasive/nondestructive techniques have been developed for measuring bone structure and applied to the study and treatment of osteoporosis. These techniques allow early detection and diagnosis, monitoring of progression and response to therapy, improved estimates of bone strength, and improved prediction of fracture risk. Considerable progress has been made in advanced imaging techniques for noninvasive and/or nondestructive assessment of 2D and 3D bone structure. High-resolution computed tomography (hrCT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) microscopy can be used to examine both cortical and trabecular bone in vivo. Much progress has been made in developing micro-CT (μCT) for noninvasive and/or nondestructive assessment of 3D trabecular structure and connectivity. The availability of 3D measuring techniques and 3D image processing methods allow direct quantification of unbiased morphometric parameters, such as direct volume and surface determination, model independent assessment of thickness, and 3D connectivity estimation. Conventional radiography is a widely available, noninvasive means of visualizing bone structure, which provides qualitative information on bone density. Radiogrammetry can be performed to measure cortical thickness, vertebral deformity, and bone size. Radiogrammetry offers information on bone mass, although it does not measure cortical porosity or trabecular bone status. Quantitative microradiography using an aluminum calibration step wedge, similar to quantitative backscattered electron imaging and small-angle X-ray scattering imaging, can measure the focal degree of mineralization and secondary mineral apposition. High-resolution (hrCT) thin-slice CT, adapted from existing body CT scanners for high-resolution measurements, can be used to assess trabecular and cortical bone structure and cross-sectional geometry of virtually any bone in the body. Volumetric bone mass or density in trabecular and cortical bone can be determined separately using QCT.
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