Bone mineral density of lumbar vertebrae in patients with degenerative spinal diseases

Introduction Bone mineral density (BMD) of the vertebrae is a critical issue before performing stabilizing interventions at the lumbar level. Determination of BMD in Hounsfield units (HU) according to CT data is a more accurate method versus to the "gold" standard - densitometry. Purpose To determine BMD of key anatomical areas of the lumbar vertebrae in HU and correlate with densitometry data. Methods A retrospective cohort of patients was studied prior to decompression and stabilization intervention at the lumbar level. The BMD of each lumbar vertebra in its different anatomical regions in HU was assessed according to CT of the lumbar spine and was compared with densitometry data. Results In the roots of the L2-S1 arch of the vertebrae, BMD was significantly higher than in the bodies of the same vertebrae (p