Is quantitative magnetic resonance imaging valuable in the assessment of trabecular bone structure in osteoporosis?

Objectives: this study aims to evaluate the value of quantitative magnetic resonance imaging in the assessment of bone trabeculae in osteoporosis by comparing the results with dual-energy x-ray (dxa) absorptiometry. patients and methods: the study consisted of 85 postmenopausal women (mean age 57.2 years; range 43 to 83 years) underwent both dxa absorptiometry and lumbar quantitative magnetic resonance imaging. t2 a nd t 2* values were calculated by magnetic resonance imaging and the results were compared with bone mineral density. results: according to bone mineral density t-scores; there were 32 normal,30 osteopenic,and 23 osteoporotic patients. t2 values of l1- l4 were different in normal with osteoporotic,and the osteopenic with osteoporotic groups. there were increased t2 values with reducing t-scores. comparing the normal and osteopenic groups,no statistical difference was found in t2 measurements of lumbar vertebrae,except l4. t2* values of l1-l4 vertebrae were not statistically different between the study groups. conclusion: t2 m easurements o f l umbar v ertebra o n quantitative magnetic resonance imaging may be useful in evaluation of bone trabeculae in osteoporosis,and may also be helpful in differentiation of osteoporotic from normal,and osteopenic from osteoporotic patients.