Dynamic Magnetic Resonance (MR) Study in Evaluating the Vertebral Bone Marrow Perfusion and Its Related Research
Condition: Osteoporosis; Fractures, Compression
MeSH terms: Osteoporosis; Fractures, Compression
Study type: Observational

Summary: 
      The etiology and pathogenesis of osteoporosis has been extensively discussed. The
      relationship between bone blood circulation and the formation of bony trabeculae has been
      less understood. There is plenty of indirect evidence highly suggestive of the correlation
      between these two factors, such as: the number of blood vessels in the per unit area of the
      bone marrow was decreased in the osteoporotic bone, indicating the possible role of a
      microvascular defect in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis.

      Furthermore, the bone mineral density in severe arteriosclerotic patients was lower than in
      the less affected subjects. In a large scale epidemiologic study, diminished bone mineral
      density was strongly associated with increased deaths from stroke. Osteopenia was also
      associated with an increased risk of stroke. These reports highly suggest the effect of
      ischemia on bone metabolism and make the investigators more interested in further
      investigation.

      A dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) study was used recently in evaluating the
      blood perfusion of bone tumors. This method also has a strong correlation with the
      microsphere blood flow measurements. The investigator (T.F. Shih) used the dynamic MR in her
      recent two researches:

        1. To differentiate benign versus malignant spinal compression fractures.

        2. To evaluate the blood perfusion of non-fractured, normal-appearing vertebral bodies and
           find its significant correlation with aging and sex.

      The alterations of bone marrow perfusion are synchronous with the changes of bone mineral
      density. Thus, based on the investigators' previous research work, they propose to further
      explore the relationship between bone marrow perfusion and bone mineral density in different
      age groups.
    

Detailed description: 
      The etiology and pathogenesis of osteoporosis has been extensively discussed. The
      relationship between bone blood circulation and the formation of bony trabeculae has been
      less understood. There is plenty of indirect evidence highly suggestive of the correlation
      between these two factors, such as: the number of blood vessels in the per unit area of the
      bone marrow was decreased in the osteoporotic bone, indicating the possible role of a
      microvascular defect in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis.

      Furthermore, the bone mineral density in severe arteriosclerotic patients was lower than in
      the less affected subjects. In a large scale epidemiologic study, diminished bone mineral
      density was strongly associated with increased deaths from stroke. Osteopenia was also
      associated with an increased risk of stroke. These reports highly suggest the effect of
      ischemia on bone metabolism and make the investigators more interested in further
      investigation.

      A dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) study was used recently in evaluating the
      blood perfusion of bone tumors. This method also has a strong correlation with the
      microsphere blood flow measurements. The investigator (T.F. Shih) used the dynamic MR in her
      recent two researches:

        1. To differentiate benign versus malignant spinal compression fractures.

        2. To evaluate the blood perfusion of non-fractured, normal-appearing vertebral bodies and
           find its significant correlation with aging and sex.

      The alterations of bone marrow perfusion are synchronous with the changes of bone mineral
      density. Thus, based on the investigators' previous research work, they propose to further
      explore the relationship between bone marrow perfusion and bone mineral density in different
      age groups.
    

Observational model: Case-Only
Time perspective: Prospective
Sampling method: Probability Sample
Study population: 
        subjects with osteoporosis
      
Keywords: osteoporosis; compression fracture; bone marrow perfusion; MR spectroscopy; hormone therapy