The Compartive Study Between The T2* Attenuation Character In Lumbar And The QUS Measurements In Calcaneus In Assessing The Osteoporotic Vertebral Deformities

PURPOSE : To evaluate the usefulness of T2 measurements at magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and to compare this technique with QUS measurement in assessing the osteoporotic vertebral deformities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: T2 values were obtained in the lumbar spine at 0.3T in 16 postmenopausal study patients with osteoporotic vertebral deformities, 15 age-matched postmenopausal control subjects, a gradient-echo sequence was used (TR400ms/TE 12,35ms, FA=60, Thickness=5mm, FOV=24cm,MAT=128×256).The ultrasound parameters broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA) and speed of sound (SOS) were also measured in the calcaneus. Use the software to get the third parameter (stiffness) . RESULTS: Significant differences between QUS measurements of the calcaneus were obtained in two groups (P<0.05). T2 measurements in the lumbar spine don't showed Significant difference(p=0.0812). Considering the sensitivity and the specificity, Stiffness is the best in threeparameters. The second one is BUA. While the T2* measurement on MRI doesn't show good sensitivity and specificity. CONCLUTION: Due to good precision, sensitivity and specificity.the QUS measurements in calcaneus in vivo have important value in assessing the osteoporotic vertebral deformities. However, the value of the T2 attenuation character in lumbar in vivo is limited at low-field strength MR. The assessing powfulness of MRI is not comparable to QUS .