Usefulness of a Bone Quality Assessment Score Using MRI Signal Intensity in Predicting Osteoporotic Vertebral Fractures: A Study Using the Vertebral Bone Quality Score

• Published in: Journal of Spine Research Vol. 14; no. 6; pp. 897 - 902
• Main Authors: Yamaura, Tetsuto, Tachibana, Toshiya, Maruo, Keishi, Arizumi, Fumihiro, Iwakura, Ryo, Okada, Fumiaki
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese
• Published: The Japanese Society for Spine Surgery and Related Research 20.06.2023; 一般社団法人 日本脊椎脊髄病学会
• Subjects: DEXA; Osteoporotic vertebral fracture; Vertebral Bone Quality score; 骨粗鬆症性椎体骨折
• ISSN: 1884-7137; 2435-1563
• DOI: 10.34371/jspineres.2023-0613

Introduction: The vertebral bone quality score (VBQ) was recently reported as a tool for bone quality evaluation based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation between the VBQ score and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), as well as the association of osteoporotic vertebral fractures (OVFs) with the VBQ score.Methods: Of 257 patients who underwent DEXA at our hospital between January 2021 and December 2022, 99 patients who underwent lumbar MRI within 3 months were enrolled. The VBQ score was based on the lumbar MRI T1-weighted sagittal midline slice and calculated by dividing the median signal intensity of the L1-4 vertebral bodies by the signal intensity of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) at the level of L3. The patients were divided into two groups based on MRI diagnosis: the OVF group including acute OVF and prevalent OVF and the non-OVF group. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to identify associated factors.Results: The mean VBQ score was 3.7±0.6. The VBQ score was negatively correlated with the lowest T-score, lumbar bone mineral density (BMD), and proximal femur BMD. The OVF group was significantly older and had a significantly higher VBQ score and lower BMD and T-score than the non-OVF group. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the VBQ score was an independent factor associated with OVF.Conclusion: This study suggested that the VBQ score may be a useful predictor of OVF.