QCT cortical shell thickness as a predictor of vertebral body strength for cynomolgus monkeys

摘要

Many studies have investigated the ability of vertebral trabecular BMC measurements to predict overall vertebral strength. Far fewer investigations, however, have examined the use of cortical shell data to predict maximum strength. In this study, we are investigating the load-carrying characteristics of the cortical region of vertebral bodies Lumbar vertebrae from macaca fascicularis were examined by QCT and mechanically tested in compression. Our results show that cortical thickness, as determined by QCT, is a significant predictor of vertebral maximum stress (R = 0.62, p < 1 E-5). This relationship is improved when the cortical thickness is compared to load (R = 0.77, p < 5 E-l0). This information reveals that the conical shell plays a major role in determining the load carrying capacity of lumbar vertebrae, and that examination of cortical thickness will give an approximation of maximum vertebral stress and load.