Computerized tomography evaluation of cortical bone properties in the tibia.

BACKGROUND Tibia shaft fractures are among the most common fractures. However, the incidence of tibia fractures does not increase in the elderly. Osteoporotic bone resorption is possibly compensated for by periosteal apposition, which improves the mechanical properties of the bone. The purpose of this study was to identify a correlation between geometric indices of transverse bone scans and radiologic bone density based in CT studies. MATERIAL AND METHODS 12 human cadaver tibiae were CT examined. Radiological density in Hounsfield units was evaluated in transverse bone scans taken at the junction of the distal and middle third of the tibial shaft. The average and maximum radiological density and area of cortical bone were evaluated. RESULTS Average radiological bone density decreased with age. This was not accompanied by a corresponding increase in cortical bone area. CONCLUSION The study did not provide direct confirmation that age-related osteoporotic bone resorption is compensated for by periosteal apposition.