Value of radionuclide bone imaging and MRI in locating responsible vertebrae after osteoporotic vertebral compressive fractures

Abstract

Objective To compare the effect of radionuclide bone imaging and MRI in locating responsible vertebrae after osteoporotic vertebral compressive fractures (OVCF). Methods A retrospective analysis was made on 25 patients with OVCF treated by percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) from May 2015 to December 2015. There were 4 males and 21 females, at age range of 63-87 years [(73.3±6.16)years]. The fractured vertebrae included 2 T4, 3 T5, 2 T6, 2 T7, 5 T8, 3 T9, 3 T10, 7 T11, 9 T12, 11 L1, 10 L2, 2 L3, 5 L4 and 1 L5. Cervical imaging examinations (X-ray, bone mineral density, MRI, radionuclide bone imaging) were performed on admission. Oswestry disability index (ODI) and visual analogue scale (VAS) were estimated before operation and 1 d after operation. Results of MRI and radionuclide bone imaging were compared. Results A total of 64 vertebrae were included in our study. Thirty-six vertebrae were recognized as fresh OVCFs by MRI, and 40 by radionuclide bone imaging. Kappa-test indicated the results of the examination methods were statistically significant (P<0.05). Specificity (96.6%) and accuracy (98.4%) of MRI were higher than radionuclide bone imaging bone scan (82.8%, 92.2%). Conclusions Radionuclide bone imaging has a high consistency with MRI in locating responsible vertebrae after OVCF, but MRI is associated with higher specificity and accuracy. In exceptional cases, radionuclide bone imaging can partly replace MRI as a way to locate OVCF. Key words: Osteoporotic fractures; Vertebroplasty; Radionuclide bone imaging