Relationship between quantitative parameters of lumbar vertebral perfusion and bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women

Background. Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) is a noninvasive method to evaluate the microcirculation of bone marrow in local tissue, which will be a new tool for the diagnosis of osteoporosis. Objectives. To investigate the relationship between quantitative perfusion parameters (K-trans,K-ep and V-e) and bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women. Material and methods. The subjects were divided into 3 groups according to T value: normal bone mass group (T value >=-1.0); bone loss group (-2.5 < T <-1.0); and osteoporosis group K-trans,K-ep and V-e of the lumbar spine were measured using quantitative DCE-MRI. The relationship between these parameters and age was analyzed. Results. Bone mineral density of the lumba r spine and femoral neck gradually decreased with age. The values of K-trans,K-ep and V-e significantly decreased with age. The values of K-trans,K-ep and V-e of the lumbar vertebrae in the osteoporosis group were lower than those in the bone loss and normal bone mass group. Bone mineral density was positively correlated with the K-trans and V-e of the lumbar vertebrae. Conclusions. The incidences of bone loss and osteoporosis increased with age. The measurement of BMD was conducive to early diagnosis of osteoporosis. K-trans,K-ep and V-e values of the lumbar vertebra decreased with age, and have a positive correlation with lumbar BMD. The value of DCE-MRI may play a role in the diagnostic algorithm of osteoporosis.