The quantification of 3D-trabecular architecture of the fourth cervical vertebra using CT osteoabsorptiometry and micro-CT

BACKGROUND: Bone functional adaptation rationalises the inhomogeneous morphology found in bone. By means of computed tomography osteoabsorptiometry and micro-computed tomography, the mineralisation of the subchondral endplates and trabecular microstructure of vertebral bodies can be assessed to visualise the chronic loading conditions bone endures over time. In this study, we determined cancellous and compartment-specific trabecular architecture in the cervical vertebra to aid with successful integration of orthopaedic implants. METHODS: We examined the micro-computed tomography scans of seven prospectively healthy C4 vertebrae, evaluated their microstructure parameters (bone volume fraction (BV/TV), bone surface density (BS/BV), trabecular thickness (Tb.Th), trabecular separation (Tb.Sp), trabecular number per volume (Tb.N), connectivity density (Conn.D), structure model index (SMI), and degree of anisotropy (DA), and compared the trabecular architecture in twelve predefined volumes of interest: the cranial and caudal 0–10%, 10–15%, and 25–50% in both the ventral and dorsal half. Using computed tomography osteoabsorptiometry, the subchondral bone mineralisation of the subchondral endplates of nine C4 vertebrae was also evaluated. RESULTS: Highest mineralisation is located dorsally at the endplates. Tb.Sp and Tb.N were the only two parameters that displayed significant differences in averaged values of VOI. Nonetheless, distinct, consistent ventral–dorsal modulations were seen in matched sample ventral–dorsal comparison in the BV/TV, BS/BV, and SMI overall levels, as well as in Tb.Th in the three caudal levels. To simplify, the vertebra was split into ventral–cranial, dorsal–cranial, ventral–caudal, and dorsal–caudal equal quarters. The ventral quarters display lower BV/TV, respectively, higher BS/BV and SMI than their sample paired dorsal quarters. The ventral–cranial quarter shows the lowest BV/TV and the highest BS/BV and SMI, describing spacious cancellous bone with rod-like trabeculae. In contrast, the dorsal–caudal quarter exhibits the highest BV/TV and Tb.Th and the lowest BS/BV and SMI, illustrating thicker, denser, and more plate-like trabeculae. The dorsal–cranial and ventral–caudal quarters are comparable and represent intermediate characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: CT-OAM and µCT demonstrate the interdependence of compact and trabecular bone in response to long-term loading conditions. Results show highest mineralisation in the dorso-caudal part of the C4 vertebra. Recommended placement of orthopaedic implants should be positioned dorsally with screws anchored in the dorsal–caudal region. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13018-023-03760-2.