Linear correlation between axial and lateral bone mineral density of lumbar vertebrae

The placement of most spinal interbody devices is above the cancellous regi on of the vertebral bodies. Dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans of patien ts are usually taken from the anterior-posterior or the lateral projection. DXA scans taken in vitro from the axial direction would most closely indic ate the bone mineral density (BMD) or the bone at this region. So far, in v itro studies have not been conducted to determine the correlation between a xial and lateral scans. Because lateral DXA BMD scans are noninvasive and h ave low radiation dosage, they could be used as a predictive tool to determ ine the quality of cancellous bone at the centrum of the vertebral bodies, where spinal interbody devices are commonly placed.