EXAMINATION OF TRABECULAR STRUCTURES IN THE SKELETON OF THE FOOT USING MRI

Aims: To assess trabecular density and structures at various cancellou s bone sites in the foot using MR imaging. To compare the MRI findings with the bone mineral density (BMD) values obtained by quantitative c omputed tomography (QCT) in the lumbar vertebrae. Materials and Method s: Bone mineral densities were measured by QCT in lumbar vertebrae 1 t o 3 in ten patients with suspected osteoporosis. Sagittal images of th e feet were obtained from these patients and also from seven healthy v olunteers applying spin-echo and gradient-echo MR techniques. Results: MR imaging revealed differences between patients with osteoporosis an d individuals with healthy bones. Comparison of MR and BMD data reveal ed a significant dependence of MR data on the bone density measured by QCT (alpha < 0.05). In addition, a good correlation (r = 0.73) was fo und between the results of the different MRI techniques. Conclusions: The MR imaging techniques investigated offer an interesting tool for t he non-invasive assessment of bony structures, at least at peripheral locations with yellow bone marrow. To enable reliable application in t he clinical routine setting, additional studies are required to identi fy suitable standardized methods and establish normal ranges.