If you are being treated for bone loss, a followup qct scan can show if the therapy is working. Mindways premier product, qct pro uses ct images to. This latest qct software innovation makes it possible to assess bone mineral density bmd using qct without the need to scan a calibration. To compare the osteoporosis detection rates in postmenopausal women when measuring bone mineral density bmd with quantitative computed tomography qct in the spine versus dual xray absorptiometry dxa in the spine and hip and to investigate the reasons for the discrepancy between the two techniques. Dualenergy xray absorptiometry dxa is the most common tools for measuring bmd. Qct pro combines the analysis modules common across the mindways bone density range with traditional patientonphantom calibration. Bone density testing, bmd test, mindways software inc. Quantitative computed tomography and opportunistic bone density screening by dual use of computed tomography scans. We believe that qct is more effective in screening patients because the dxa scan can overestimate bone density in the spine due to certain bone changes, a patients weight or physique, and other.
While there are many techniques available to measure bone density, sxa, dexa, ultrasound. Webbased reporting and workflow software for central dxa bone densitometry. Qct of the spine utilizes a conventional ct scanner with a calibration phantom and special software to measure vertebral bone mass. Bone density testing, bmd test, mindways software inc qct. Frax is available on newer dxa machines or with software upgrades that provide the frax scores on the bone. Calcium hydroxyapatite is the major constituent of human bone and vascular calcifications, and has been the accepted bone mineral standard for several years. Validation of asynchronous quantitative bone densitometry of the.
Simulated increases in body fat and errors in bone mineral. Mindways produces softwarebased solutions to measure bone density from ct scans. Quantitative computed tomography in general radiology, the term qct describes the analysis of the ct images beyond a visual radiological evaluation. By eric barnes, staff writer november 3, 2014 fresh off the receipt of 510k clearance in august for its qct pro bone densitometry software, mindwaysct is hoping to accomplish a goal that has long eluded healthcare professionals. Qct s ability to assess trabecular, volumetric mineral density, independent of cortical bone, has long been recognized as advantageous because of the high metabolic activity of trabecular bone relative to cortical bone. Annals of the american thoracic society ats journals. The who densitometric classification is applicable.
November 3, 2014 fresh off the receipt of 510k clearance in august for its qct pro bone densitometry software, mindwaysct is hoping to accomplish a goal that has long eluded healthcare professionals. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, qct bmd measurement was clinically practiced. Qct allows measurement of volumetric trabecular bone density without superimposition of cortical bone and other tissues. Software leverages ct scans to generate bone density data. As such, the term qct is not restricted to bone densitometry, in which qct describes. For the best precision the ability to measure changes over time dxa in a skilled technologists hands who does many dxa scans every day will be better than the ct tech who would only see one or two qct bone density tests a week.
Clinical use of quantitative computed tomography and. November 27, 2007 ge healthcare has launched the companys new mobile system for bone mineral density bmd and body. Accessgudid qct pro asynchronous 3d spine and ctxahip system b052qctprom4ash0 convenience kit consisting of qct pro asynchronous calibration module, cliniqct qct bone mineral density analysis software ctxa hip bone mineral densitometer ctxa hip extended reference database model 4 calibration phantom. Quantitative computed tomography qct is a medical technique that measures bone mineral density bmd using a standard xray computed tomography ct scanner with a calibration standard to convert hounsfield units hu of the ct image to bone mineral density values. This calibration system provides the best results in situations where patient body composition varies, or patients are followed for long periods. As a result, qct reveals the true bone density and is the most successful in detecting changes in trabecular bones, which is extremely useful for early recognition of osteoporosis and. In contrast, dxa makes measurements in two dimensions areal bone density and requires that assumptions be made about bone size and soft tissue composition around the bone. Coverage for preventive care including bone mineral density measurement for screening for. Mindways qct bone density solutions for your ct scanner.
Bone mineral density is measured at both the spine and hip since bone mineralisation is not. Ct scan prior to spine fusion finds almost half of. Currently, qct is not approved by cms medicare for monitoring response to treatment. Bonestation bone densitometry reporting for dxa and bmd.
Qct software, bone density software, mindways software inc. Lsda hardware quantitative computed tomography qct. Our cliniqct and qct pro product families can be used for a broad range of clinical and research applications. How to protect your bones with a qct or dxa exam center. A bone mineral density bmd is a scan that assesses for the presence of osteoporosis, which is a condition in which bones become porous and weakened. While trabecular bone is measured at the spine, projectional measurement of bmd at. This may be an existing pc in your facility, or a dedicated console just for bone density. Evaluation of bone mineral density using dxa and cqct in. This qct technique does not require the use of external calibration phantoms, but uses internal reference tissues instead. In 38 patients, bone mineral density was assessed in quantitative ct as a standard of reference and in sagittal reformations derived from standard multidetector row ct studies without iv contrast.
Quantitative computed tomography qct is another method of measuring bone mineral density. Bmd spine, qct software solutions, mindways software inc. Computer compatibility, qct interface software, mindways inc. Qct allows measurement of volumetric trabecular bone density without. Pdf update on the clinical application of quantitative. Qct systems are much lower in cost than an entrylevel dxa machine and can be used with any existing ct scanner. Bone density measurements help physicians detect the presence of osteoporosis, estimate your risk of bone fracture, and determine if you might benefit from treatment to improve bone strength. Thats because this exam uses special 3d volume software that analyzes the soft bone, which is affected by bone loss earlier than hard bone. This latest qct software innovation makes it possible to assess bone mineral density bmd using qct without the need to scan a calibration phantom together with the patient, the company said. People with low bone mass or density are not necessarily at high fracture risk. Comparison of the spine and hip bmd assessments derived. The new technology works by using an earlier acquired calibration scan to transform a ct image into bone mineral density values. Qct bone mineral densitometry perth imaging central. Ge, lunar, madison, wi, usa and were analyzed using the manufacturers software.
Even though the international society for clinical densitometry 22 and the american college of radiology 25 suggested a cutoff value of 80 mgcm 3 for qct as well as a tscore of. Mindways produces quantitative ct qct bone densitometry products for spine and hip bone density measurements. Below are four other types of pages found in their reports. With the exception of the use of an asynchronous calibration method, the new device has the. Qct is a threedimensional method obtained on a ct scanner that provides true bone density of the spine and hip. A the proportion of subjects with normal bone density, intermediate bone density tscore qct less than. It allows us to look for low bone mass and monitor the effects of bone mass therapy in patients undergoing treatment.
Qct is particularly useful in older individuals 65 years old in whom osteophytes and sclerotic facets could complicate conventional ap spine measurements by dxa. Mindways qct bone density reports usually have at least 4 pages including a summary report prepared by the test center with a diagnosis, qct results and recommendations. Typically, the analysis involves the use of dedicated software to extract quantitative parameters. Different from dxa, it distinguishes between cortical and cancellous bone. Quantitative computed tomography and opportunistic bone. With mindways fdacleared cliniqct and qct pro product lines, you can add hip and spine bone density testing to your existing ct scanner. Osteoporosis leads to a higher risk of fragility fractures. The term osteopenia is retained, but low bone mass or low bone density is preferred. The trabecular bone has much higher metabolic activity than the cortical bone and so is affected by age, disease and therapyrelated changes earlier and to a greater degree than cortical bone. The image analysis tm solid calibration phantom is manufactured with boneequivalent calcium hydroxyapatite incorporated into our solid, tissueequivalent material ctwatertm. About bone density qct center for diagnostic imaging cdi. Mdcttoquantitative ct conversion equations were calculated and then applied to baseline multidetector row scans of another 62 patients. Compared to dxa, quantitative computed tomography qct can determine in three dimensions the true volumetric bmd vbmd at any skeletal site.
In some communities, a ct scan with special software can also be used to diagnose or monitor low bone mass qct. While you are exposed to radiation during a ct exam, the benefits of ct typically outweigh the longterm risks. Qct is also most commonly performed on the lower spine. If you have a ct scanner, we have a bone density solution. In contrast, dxa makes measurements in 2 dimensions areal bone density and requires that assumptions be made about bone size and soft tissue composition around the bone.
Dexa bone mineral density estimates, but not qct, may be significantly biased by severe degenerative changes of the hip or spine, vascular calcifications, oral contrast agents from other radiology exams, and foods or dietary supplements containing significant. Qct facilitates the 3d volumetric measurement of bone and separately represents interior trabecular or spongy bone tissue from the dense cortical bone wall. Qct is particularly useful in older individuals 65 years old in whom osteophytes and sclerotic facets could complicate conventional ap spine measurements by. Quantiative computed tomography, or qct, allows determination of bone density from ct images. Although some qct software manufacturers provide spine tscores, these should not be. How to protect your bones with a qct or dxa exam center for. Update on the clinical application of quantitative computed tomography qct in osteoporosis. Qct is likely to detect low bone mass earlier than other bone mineral density exams such as dxa, thus allowing patients to make lifestyle changes or begin treatments earlier. Update on the clinical application of quantitative.
Areal bone mineral density abmd and tscores of the proximal femur. Results do not include a correction for variations in bone marrow fat. Bone density qct densitometry north canyon medical center. Other testing methods use ultrasound, ct or xrays to check for peripheral bone density in the heel, wrist or finger. Comparison of femoral neck bmd evaluation obtained using lunar. Qct is a clinically proven method of measuring bone mineral density. Nof nonossifying fibroma considers qct safe and effective for the evaluation of bone mineral density. Quantitative computed tomography qct measures the density of vertebral trabecular bone, the spongy bone in the center of the vertebra. Mindways qct software is installed on a standalone windows pc workstation. Qct measures true volumetric bone density, irrespective of bone size. Bone mineral density values derived from routine lumbar. Either way, a network connection is necessary for transfer of images from the ct scanner to qct, and transfer of bone density reports to pacs.
Quantitative computed tomography qct provides a volumetric measurement of bone density in the vertebral body. Analysis introduced the first commercial qct bone densitometry product. Pcqct bone mineral density software model 49800 di diagnostic imaging introduction a pcbased qct software program for the convenient and reliable derivation of the qct value of trabecular bone. This calibration system provides the best results in situations where patient body composition. To perform qct, a standard ct scanner with an external bone mineral calibration phantom underneath the patient is used and density values measured in hounsfield units are transformed into bmd measured in milligrams hydroxyapatite per cubic centimeter using the phantom. This means that qct of the spine has an advantage compared to other bone density tests because earlier changes in bone mineral density may be detected.
Qct is a fast, noninvasive bone mineral density bmd exam performed on a ct scanner. Areal bone mineral density abmd and tscores of the proximal femur were measured from either prone or supine ctc examinations using mindways qct pro software following standard workflow except. Quantification of bone mineral density bmd is being used as the main method to diagnose osteoporosis. Pc qct bone mineral density software model 49800 di diagnostic imaging introduction a pcbased qct software program for the convenient and reliable derivation of the qct value of trabecular bone. Wi, usa and were analyzed using the manufacturers software. Bone mineral density is a surrogate indicator of bone strength that plays. Software leverages ct scans to generate bone density data by eric barnes, staff writer. Bmd reporting in postmenopausal women and in men age 50 and older. Qctbased finite element prediction of pathologic fractures in proximal femora with metastatic lesions.
709 37 884 1159 343 1008 633 742 852 980 1254 1413 843 942 1504 887 1140 882 743 943 592 723 289 1272 20 437 1406 277 29 1006 1358