Preliminary application study of quantitative susceptibility mapping in evaluating the osteoporosis

Abstract

Objective To explore the efficacy of quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) in the assessment of osteoporosis and the impact factors on the QSM values. Methods A total of 105 volunteers (35 males and 70 females) were recruited in this study. The height, weight, waistline and hipline were measured, and the body mass index was calculated. All the subjects underwent MRI-based QSM and quantitative computed tomography (QCT). The measurement of QSM and QCT values was performed on L3 vertebrae body. According to QCT value, the subjects were divided into three groups (normal, osteopenia and osteoporosis). According to age, the subjects were divided into group 1 (21-30 years old), group 2 (31-40 years old), group 3 (41-50 years old), group 4 (51-60 years old), and group 5 (>60 years old). Differences among all groups were compared using one-way ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis. Results According to QCT value, 54 subjects were normal, 22 osteopenic and 29 osteoporotic. The QSM value for the subjects with osteoporosis [148.60(109.42, 188.81)ppb] was significantly higher than that of normal (P 0.05). With the increasing of age, the QSM value showed a gradual increasing trend. And there were significant differences of QSM values among the different age groups (P 60 years old) was significantly higher than that of group 1, group 2, and group 3 (P 0.05).The QSM value of 96.62 (28.62,143.99) ppb for group 4 (51-60 years old) was significantly higher than that of group 1 and group 2 (P 0.05). The QSM value of group 1, group 2, and group 3 showed no significant difference (P>0.05). Conclusions The QSM of bone is feasible in the assessment of osteoporosis and has the potential to be a biomarker providing new insights into osteoporosis. And age is the critical factor affecting QSM value. Key words: Osteoporosis; Magnetic resonance imaging; Age factors