Correlation Between Measurement Of Lumbar Fat Fraction Based On Magnetic Resonance Water Fat Separation(VIBE-Dixon) Technique And Bone Mineral Density In Women

Objective: To evaluate the correlation between the degree of lumbar osteoporosis and bone mineral density(BMD)in women using VIBE-Dixon technique.Methods : One hundred and twenty-one healthy female subjects were divided into 5groups according to age: 21 – 30 years old group(n = 17),31 – 40 years old group(n= 11),41 – 50 years old group(n = 24),51 –60 years old group(n = 63),and 61 –70 years old group(n = 6).BMD of the L1-L4 vertebral body was measured as a reference standard using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry(DXA).The bone marrow fat fraction of the same vertebral body was measured by magnetic resonance(VIBEDixon)technique,used to express its fat content indirectly.The differences of bone marrow fat fraction were compared among different age groups.The Pearson correlation between bone marrow fat fraction and BMD,between bone marrow fat fraction and age were analyzed,and the correlation analysis on BMD,bone marrow fat fraction,and menopausal duration was performed,respectively.Results: The intergroup correlation coefficient(ICC)of the two FF measurements was0.983(95% CI,0.770-0.991).There were significant differences in the fat fraction of lumbar vertebral bone marrow at different age groups(F value = 14.541,P < 0.001).There was a positive correlation between bone marrow fat fraction and age(r = 0.659,P < 0.001).BMD decreased with the increase of bone marrow fat fraction.With the prolongation of menopause age in women,BMD decreased and bone marrow fat fraction increased.Conclusion: VIBE-Dixon technique can quantitatively and indirectly express the fat content of lumbar vertebra in women,and then indirectly evaluate the degree of osteoporosis.This technique demonstrates a good correlation with DXA results.