The Effect of the Lumbar Vertebral Malpositioning on Bone Mineral Density Measurements of the Lumbar Spine by Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry

Abstract

A significant discrepancy between the results of previous human and phantoms studies is identified regarding the effects of vertebral positioning on bone mineral density (BMD) measurements. We aimed to evaluate the effects of lumbar vertebral positioning on BMD measurements by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in a human cadaveric spine phantom. A spine phantom was designed using L1–L4 vertebrae harvested from a 48-year-old male cadaver without coronal or sagittal deformity. The spine phantom was scanned by DEXXUM T bone densitometer in a constant scanning speed of 30 mm/s and resolution of 1.0 × 1.0 mm. BMD values were measured in a positive and negative lumbar lordosis and kyphosis tilt angles in the sagittal plane, from 0° to 35°, with 7° increments. Also BMD values were measured in axial and lateral rotations with 5° increments. Projectional dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry measurements are significantly affected by positioning of the lumbar spine, more severely affected by kyphotic curvature, but also by axial and lateral rotational scoliosis as well as lordotic curvature. Increasing the severity of lordosis and kyphosis curvatures leads to false reduction of BMD value up to 17.5% and 11.5%, respectively. Increasing the degree of lateral and axial rotational scolioses results in a false decrease in BMD measurements by up to 10.8% and 9.6%, respectively. To achieve the most accurate scanning results, error sources and abnormal positioning should be identified and minimized as much as possible. If not correctable, they should be taken into consideration while interpreting the results.