| Objective To evaluate the distribution regularities and correlation of thoracic and lumbar vertebra density using quantitative CT(QCT). Methods 724 adults(437 males ,287 females),age 18-89,mean age was (52.7 ± 15.3) years,were performed low dose chest CT for physical examination in our hospital. The original data of QCT were obtained and transmitted to the PACS and BMD post-processing work station “QCT Pro”, the mean bone density of T1-L2 vertebral bodies was measured. The data were divied into three groups according to age: 18-44 year-old group, 45-60 year-old group, and > 60 year-old group. Paired-samples T test and Pearson correlation analysis were conducted to discuss differences and correlation of bone mineral density between thoracic and lumbar vertebra. Analysis of variance was conducted to compare differences among groups. Results The average BMD of thoracic vertebra T1-T12 in all age groups was higher than that of lumbar L1-L2, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.001). with the increase of age, the density of thoracolumbar vertebra decreases gradually; Moreover, the bone density of thoracic vertebra decreased gradually from T1 to T12. There was a high correlation between BMD of thoracic vertebrae in all age groups and BMD of lumbar L1 and L2 (correlation coefficient r was >, 0.7), and the correlation was statistically significant (P<0.001). Except for T1 and T2 vertebral BMD in the 18-44 year old group, there was no statistically significant difference in BMD between the adjacent vertebral bodies of other thoracic and lumbar vertebrae (P>0.05), and the difference was not significant (P>0.05). Conclusion The mean bone mineral density of thoracic vertebra is higher than that of lumbar vertebra and shows a significant positive correlation. The bone mineral density of thoracic vertebra can be used to diagnosis osteoporosis, while people have the chest CT. This can avoid excessive scanning radiation dose. |