| Objective To investigate the correlation between thoracic CT attenuation values and bone mineral density (BMD) and how to use this index in the prediction of osteoporosis (OP). Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on 340 patients who were admitted to the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from June 2020 to June 2023 and underwent chest CT plain scan plus reconstruction and bone density determination.CT attenuation values of the cancellous bone of the vertebra at three different cross sections of each vertebra of the patient T1-12 and L1 were collected, and the average CT attenuation values of the vertebra were calculated. At the same time, they were divided into normal bone mass group, osteopenia group and osteoporosis group according to the T value measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry(DXA). The correlation between CT attenuation values of T1-12 and L1 and age, BMD and T-values was analyzed. Results ①CT attenuation values of T1-12 and L1 decreased with the increase of age. ②CT attenuation values of each vertebral body were significantly correlated (P < 0.05).③CT attenuation values of T1-12 and L1 were significantly positively correlated with BMD and T values (P < 0.05). ④According to T value, 340 elderly patients were divided into three groups: normal, osteopenia and osteoporosis. The CT attenuation value of osteoporosis group was lower than that of osteopenia group than that of normal group, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05).⑤There was no statistical difference in receiver operating curve (ROC) for predicting osteopenia and osteoporosis by CT attenuation values between single thoracic vertebrae and L1. ⑥The combined prediction of BMI,age and multiple thoracic vertebrae had a higher AUC value (AUC = 0.906). Conclusion There is a significant positive correlation between BMD values measured by DXA and CT attenuation values of cancellous bone of vertebral body. Osteopenia and osteoporosis can be predicted by CT attenuation values of single vertebral bodies, and the prediction model combined with BMI, age and multiple thoracic vertebrae has a better effect. |