Multi-class segmentation of vertebrae is a non-trivial task mainly due to the high correlation in the appearance of adjacent vertebrae. Hence, such a task calls for the consideration of both global and local context. Based on this motivation, we propose a two-staged approach that, given a computed tomography dataset of the spine, segments the five lumbar vertebrae and simultaneously labels them...

The development of shark vertebrae and the possible drivers of inter- and intra-specific differences in vertebral structure are poorly understood. Shark vertebrae are used to examine life-history traits related to trophic ecology, movement patterns, and the management of fisheries; a better understanding of their development would be beneficial to many fields of research that rely on these calc...

BACKGROUND Because the complications of vertebroplasty are serious and can include new fracture, we retrospectively evaluated potential risk factors for new fracture after vertebroplasty. Our hypothesis is that thoracolumbar vertebrae adjacent to a vertebroplasty site have a higher incidence of new compression fracture than do other vertebrae. METHODS Between March 2001 and December 2002, a t...

Poverty and other forms of inequity undermine individual and population health and retard development. Although absolute poverty has reportedly declined in recent years, research suggests that relative poverty or the gap between the rich and poor within and between countries has been exacerbated over this same period. There is growing concern about the feminization of poverty, and the impact gl...

The vertebral column is situated in the median line, as the posterior part of the trunk. It (backbone) consists of a series of 26 individual irregular bones called vertebrae, separated by fibrocartilaginous intervertebral discs and are secured to each other by interlocking processes and binding ligaments. There are 7 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 fused sacral, and 4-5 fused coccygeal verte...

Aim of this study was to perform a detailed clinical validation of a new fully automatic algorithm for vertebral interface segmentation in echographic images. Abdominal echographic scans of lumbar vertebrae L1–L4 were carried out on 150 female subjects with variable age and body mass index (BMI). Acquired datasets were automatically processed by the algorithm and the accuracy of the obtained se...

OBJECTIVE The vertebral body is the major load bearing part of the vertebra and consists of a central trabecular core surrounded by a thin cortical shell. The aim of this in vitro biomechanical study is to determine the debated issue of load sharing in a vertebral body. METHODS A series of non-destructive compressive testing on excised human thoracic vertebral bodies were performed. The testi...

The purpose of this study was to provide an introduction to parsing the radiologic appearance of thoracic vertebrae and ribs. In the study, the radiologic-anatomic correlation technique was applied to promote further understanding of normal chest radiographs. The thoracic vertebrae and ribs of chest radiographs were compared with each macroscopic radiologic and computed tomography (CT) image. T...

OBJECTIVE Vertebroplasty is an effective treatment for vertebral compression fracture, but may progress gradual vertebral height decrease in spite of vertebroplasty. Gradual vertebral height decrease also may induce aggravation of kyphotic change without severe pain. The purpose of this study was to evaluate risk factors for gradual vertebral height decrease in the absence of recurrent severe b...