The measuring of the cortical bone thickness in L4 vertebra and comparison with bone mass density
by E.M.M. Fonseca; L.M.S. Barreira; J.C. Dinis; A.I. Pereira
International Journal of Medical Engineering and Informatics (IJMEI), Vol. 5, No. 3, 2013

Abstract: The aim of this work is to identify the cortical bone thickness in L4 vertebra, through a digital methodology using computed tomography and an experimental methodology with the rapid prototyping, and to compare with the body mass density for each vertebra in analysis. The study presents clinic results of 16 women from the Northwest of Portugal, with age between 52 and 83 years, collected from May to June 2011. The patients underwent a dual energy X-ray densitometry scan system (Lunar, DPX Pro, daily calibrated) at L4 vertebra for body mass density determination, and simultaneous a lumbar spine computed tomography scan (Lightspeed Plus, GE Medical System) was performed. All clinical data were obtained in a Medical Imaging Centre of Radiology. Discussions of results regarding the measuring of the cortical bone thickness and the relation with body mass density in L4 vertebra are presented in this work. The L4 vertebra is one of the most common spinal sites that lead to chronic lower back pain. The goal of this study is to acquire accurate values, concerning cortical bone thickness, which could improve the prediction of vertebral fractures.

Online publication date: Tue, 28-Jan-2014

The full text of this article is only available to individual subscribers or to users at subscribing institutions.

 
Existing subscribers:
Go to Inderscience Online Journals to access the Full Text of this article.

Pay per view:
If you are not a subscriber and you just want to read the full contents of this article, buy online access here.

Complimentary Subscribers, Editors or Members of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Medical Engineering and Informatics (IJMEI):
Login with your Inderscience username and password:

Username:        Password:          Forgotten your password?

Want to subscribe?
A subscription gives you complete access to all articles in the current issue, as well as to all articles in the previous three years (where applicable). See our Orders page to subscribe.

If you still need assistance, please email subs@inderscience.com