Regional variations in the intra- and intervertebral trabecular microarchitecture of the osteoporotic axial skeleton.

Trabecular structures in vertebral bodies are unequally distributed in the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine, and also within individual vertebrae. Knowledge of the microstructure of these entities could influence our comprehension and treatment of osteoporotic fractures, and even surgical procedures. Appropriate investigations may clarify the pathomechanisms of various osteoporotic fractures (fish, wedge-shaped, and flat vertebrae).

Breaking strength and bone microarchitecture in osteoporosis: a biomechanical approximation based on load tests in 104 human vertebrae from the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spines of 13 body donors.

Background: The purpose of the study was to investigate associations between biomechanical resilience (failure load, failure strength) and the microarchitecture of cancellous bone in the vertebrae of human cadavers with low bone density with or without vertebral fractures (VFx).

Methods: Spines were removed from 13 body donors (approval no. A 2017-0072) and analyzed in regard to bone mineral density (BMD), Hounsfield units (HU), and fracture count (Fx) with the aid of high-resolution CT images.