Comparison of QCT and DEXA findings for lumbar vertebra in young adults and the elderly

Background The use of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) and quantitative computed tomography (QCT) methods are important for the diagnosis and follow-up of osteoporosis, and are used especially in cases to determine the degree of osteoporosis and the risk of fracture, monitoring the effectiveness of the treatment applied. Purpose To compare the parameters measured using the DEXA method from the lumbar (L1-L4) vertebrae and the Hounsfield unit (HU) values measured with QCT at the same levels among young adults and the elderly. Material and Methods The study included 155 patients (age range = 26–93 years). A total of 57 (36.8%) patients (age range = 26–64 years) were defined as the first group, and 98 (63.2%) patients (aged ≥65 years) were defined as the second group. T-test and correlation analysis were performed to compare bone mineral density (BMD), T score, and HU values measured using DEXA and QCT. Results A statistically significant difference was found between T score, lumbar total BMD, and HU values according to age and sex ( P < 0.05). When the values measured from lumbar vertebrae were compared using both DEXA and CT, a high correlation was found between them. Conclusion In the study, it was observed that QCT attenuation measurements of the lumbar spine measured between different age groups provided reliable results in terms of BMD scanning, as in DEXA. It should be noted that QCT has a longer imaging time and higher radiation dose compared to DEXA, and unnecessary scans should be avoided.