Microstructural properties of trabecular bone autografts: comparison of men and women with and without osteoporosis

Abstract

The microstructure of autologous bone grafts from men over 50 years old and postmenopausal women undergoing spinal fusion were evaluated using micro-CT. We demonstrated postmenopausal women, especially those with osteoporosis (OP) presented more serious microarchitectural deterioration of bone grafts.

Purpose: This study was undertaken to determine microstructural properties of cancellous bone used as autologous bone grafts from osteoporosis patients undergoing lumbar fusion by comparing microstructural indices to controls.

Methods: Cancellous bone specimens from spinous processes were obtained from 41 postmenopausal women (osteoporosis women, n = 19; controls, n = 22) and 26 men over 50 years old (osteoporosis men, n = 8; controls, n = 18) during lumbar fusion surgery. The microstructural parameters were measured using micro-CT.

Results: Significant difference in bone volume fraction (BV/TV), specific bone surface (BS/BV), trabecular thickness (Tb.Th), and structure model index (SMI) value existed between postmenopausal women with OP and controls. Significant difference in trabecular number (Tb.N) existed between men over 50 years old with OP and controls. Postmenopausal women exhibited lower BV/TV, Tb.Th, and higher SMI value than men over 50 years old. Postmenopausal women with OP exhibited lower BV/TV, Tb.Th, and higher BS/BV than men over 50 years old with OP.

Conclusions: Post-menopausal women and older men with OP have worse bone quality in autografts than non-osteoporotic men and women. Postmenopausal women with OP presented serious microarchitectural deterioration in older population.

Keywords: Lumbar fusion; Micro-CT; Microstructure; Osteoporosis; Trabecular bone.