Computer aided image analysis was applied to elaborate an automatic method of histomorphometric analysis of trabecular bone samples. Transverse sections of decalcified vertebral bodies were examined using optical microscopy and digital image acquisition system. Further analysis was done by means of a general purpose image analysis package. The same algorithm was applied to all the images tested, thus enabling obtainment of objective and repeatable results. High efficiency in measurements and evaluation of parameters not accessible for manual methods makes this method an interesting alternative for classical histomorphometric analysis. The results obtained demonstrated that assessment of bone mineral density is not sufficient for evaluation of compression strength of vertebral bodies. In contrast, mechanical properties correlate well with histomorphometric parameters. As a consequence it was postulated that compression strength of vertebral bodies is controlled by trabecular structure rather than bone mineral density.
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