Open AccessCorrelation of CT Values and Bone Mineral Density in Elderly Chinese Patients with Proximal Humeral Fractures
Author(s) -
Zhang Xi,
Zhu Chunxia,
He Jinquan,
Hu Yongcheng,
Sun Jie
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
orthopaedic surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.666
H-Index - 23
eISSN - 1757-7861
pISSN - 1757-7853
DOI - 10.1111/os.13145
Subject(s) - medicine , bone mineral , femoral neck , osteoporosis , sagittal plane , coronal plane , dual energy x ray absorptiometry , bone density , nuclear medicine , radiology
Objective To investigate the correlation between computed tomography (CT) values and bone mineral density (BMD) in elderly Chinese patients with proximal humeral fractures. Methods This was a single‐center retrospective study involving 166 elderly patients with proximal humeral fractures between January and June 2015 in our hospital. Following the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 89 patients were finally enrolled in this study. The spiral CT scanning was performed on these patients, and the CT images were obtained by using MIMICS software. The CT values in axial, coronal, and sagittal images of healthy proximal humeri were measured using a circular region of interest (ROI) by Image J. The bone mineral density (BMD) of the lumbar spine and femoral neck was measured using dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA). Spearman rank correlation methods were used for analysis of the association between the proximal humerus average CT value (CT Mean ) and the lumbar spine as well as femoral neck BMD in patients with proximal humeral fractures, or osteoporotic patients. Results Among the included 89 patients, there were 26 males and 63 females, 69% and 84% of whom were diagnosed with osteoporosis, respectively. The lumbar spine and femoral neck BMD and the CT Mean of the proximal humerus were higher in males than females with proximal humeral fractures ( P < 0.05). This gender difference was also found in the osteoporotic patient population ( P < 0.05). The Spearman rank correlation method showed that the lumbar spine and femoral neck BMD was closely related to the proximal humeral CT Mean in males ( r = 0.877, P = 0.000; r = 0.832, P = 0.000; respectively) and females ( r = 0.806, P = 0.000; r = 0.616, P = 0.000; respectively) with proximal humeral fractures, as well as osteoporotic male ( r = 0.745, P = 0.000; r = 0.575, P = 0.000; respectively) and female ( r = 0.613, P = 0.000; r = 0.629, P = 0.000; respectively) patients. Conclusions The CT value of the proximal humerus is a rapid and accurate method by which bone quality can be assessed in elderly patients with proximal humeral fractures. Moreover, the CT value of the proximal humerus is an alternative measurement of BMD that can guide surgeons in selecting the appropriate internal fixation material.