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Fracture Prediction by Computed Tomography and Finite Element Analysis: Current and Future Perspectives

  • Biomechanics (G Niebur and J Wallace, Section Editors)
  • Published:
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A Correction to this article was published on 03 February 2022

This article has been updated

Abstract

Purpose of Review

This review critiques the ability of CT-based methods to predict incident hip and vertebral fractures.

Recent Findings

CT-based techniques with concurrent calibration all show strong associations with incident hip and vertebral fracture, predicting hip and vertebral fractures as well as, and sometimes better than, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry areal biomass density (DXA aBMD). There is growing evidence for use of routine CT scans for bone health assessment.

Summary

CT-based techniques provide a robust approach for osteoporosis diagnosis and fracture prediction. It remains to be seen if further technical advances will improve fracture prediction compared to DXA aBMD. Future work should include more standardization in CT analyses, establishment of treatment intervention thresholds, and more studies to determine whether routine CT scans can be efficiently used to expand the number of individuals who undergo evaluation for fracture risk.

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Funding

This article was supported by NHI fund. Grant Number: R01 AR053986, PI:Mary L. Bouxsein.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Advanced Orthopedic Studies, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 330 Brookline Avenue, RN 120, Boston, MA, 02215, USA

    Fjola Johannesdottir, Brett Allaire & Mary L. Bouxsein

  2. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

    Fjola Johannesdottir & Mary L. Bouxsein

  3. Endocrine Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA

    Mary L. Bouxsein

Authors
  1. Fjola Johannesdottir
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  2. Brett Allaire
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  3. Mary L. Bouxsein
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Correspondence to Fjola Johannesdottir.

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Fjola Johannesdottir, Brett Allaire, and Mary Bouxsein declare no conflict of interest.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Biomechanics

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Johannesdottir, F., Allaire, B. & Bouxsein, M.L. Fracture Prediction by Computed Tomography and Finite Element Analysis: Current and Future Perspectives. Curr Osteoporos Rep 16, 411–422 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11914-018-0450-z

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