Evaluation of Calcium Concentration in Bones from CT Scans

Abstract

Fresh cadaveric lumbar vertebrae from 28 subjects were obtained at autopsies and then analyzed by CT [computed tomography] scans. An average CT number, calibrated against water and representing the relative X-ray attenuation coefficient of cancellous bone of each vertebra, was obtained. Ca concentrations in mg per cm3 for each vertebral specimen, calculated by physical methods, were plotted against the average CT numbers. A linear relationship between the CT numbers and the calcium content of bone is suggested.