Efficacy of radiographic density values of the first and second cervical vertebrae recorded by CBCT technique to identify patients with osteoporosis and osteopenia.

Background. Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal disease characterized by a decrease in bone strength with an increase in the risk of fractures. This study aimed at evaluating the ability to predict osteoporosis and osteopenia based on radiographic density values obtained from CBCT imaging technique. Methods. CBCT images of 108 patients were prepared by using NewTom VGI (QR, Verona, Italy). Then the patients were assigned to osteoporosis, osteopenia and healthy group, using the T-score derived from the DEXA technique. Finally, RD of the lateral mass of C1 on the left and right sides and body and dens of the C2 were measured. RD values were compared between the three groups by one-way ANOVA, followed by an appropriate post hoc test. Results. The results of the comparisons of RD values at the first and second cervical vertebrae in the three groups showed that all the values had statistically significant differences (P<0.05). The most precise diagnosis of osteoporosis was related to the RD values of the body of C2 and left lateral mass of C1 that was equal to 99% and their cut-off points were 375 and 386, respectively. Conclusion. Based on the findings of this study, it is possible to predict the osteoporosis status of the patient through the RD related to the body of C2 and the left lateral mass of C1 more accurately than the other areas.