Correlation of opportunistic bone mineral density assessment derived from CT images with physical functioning in long-term follow-up in patients with rib fractures
5 affiliations
- 1Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- 2Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics (BiND), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
- 3Department of Trauma Surgery and Orthopaedics, München Klinik Harlaching, Munich, Germany
- 4Department of Orthopaedics, Trauma Surgery and Plastic Surgery, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- 5Department of Visceral, Transplant, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, Division of Thoracic Surgery, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
Abstract
ObjectiveQuality of life assessment is strictly related to patients physical functioning. Despite the fact that earlier research has concentrated on the role of osteoporosis, the question of whether opportunistic bone mineral density (BMD) assessment can assist in determining physical functioning remains unresolved. This exploratory analysis aims to elucidate whether the opportunistic BMD assessment defined by computed tomography (CT) images is associated with quality of life in long-term follow-up in patients with traumatic rib fractures.MethodsAll patients had rib fractures without polytrauma. A total of 72 patients, including 27 female patients (37.5%), with a median age of 60 years, were included in the present study. Contrast-enhanced CT imaging was obtained and vertebral trabecular attenuation in HU at Th12 level was measured. CT scans were perfomed using a tube voltage of 120 kVp. Quality of life was assessed using the Short Form 36-Item Health Survey (SF-36) no earlier than four years after trauma.ResultsOpportunistically measured BMD obtained at 120 kVp showed a moderate correlation with the physical functioning (PF) with a r = 0.43 (p ≤ 0.001). The severely impaired PF group showed a significantly lower level of vertebral trabecular attenuation with a median value of 118 HU compared to 172 HU of the non-impaired group (p = 0.004). CT-derived BMD showed a moderate predictive ability for severely impaired PF (AUC = 0.78) with a cut-off level of 132 HU.ConclusionCT-derived opportunistic BMD measurement at Th12 level is correlated with severe physical functioning impairment in patients with rib fractures in long-term follow-up. The potential role of CT images in patients with traumatic rib fractures, beyond diagnostic purposes, needs further assessment.
Related
- Opportunistic computed tomography assessment of bone, muscle, and adipose tissue: evidence, limitations, and clinical translation
- Opportunistic Cardiovascular Risk Assessment in the Eye Clinic: Validation of a Retinal Deep Learning–Based 10-Year Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Estimator
- Monitoring multiple rib fractures using pulmonary electrical impedance tomography technology: correlation analysis of pulmonary ventilation changes
- The longitudinal relationship between physical capacity and self-perceived physical functioning after total hip and knee arthroplasty
- Cognitive and Physical Functioning in Young Adults with Stroke: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study of Anxiety, Depression, and Stress
BibTeX
@article{heyart2026correlation,
title = {{Correlation of opportunistic bone mineral density assessment derived from CT images with physical functioning in long-term follow-up in patients with rib fractures}},
author = {Benedikt Heyart and Daniele Romeo and Daniele Romeo and Ulrich Spiegl and Christian Kleber and Sebastian Krämer and Timm Denecke and Hans-Jonas Meyer},
journal = {Frontiers in Surgery},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fsurg.2026.1911891},
url = {https://doi.org/10.3389/fsurg.2026.1911891},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Correlation of opportunistic bone mineral density assessment derived from CT images with physical functioning in long-term follow-up in patients with rib fractures
AU - Benedikt Heyart
AU - Daniele Romeo
AU - Daniele Romeo
AU - Ulrich Spiegl
AU - Christian Kleber
AU - Sebastian Krämer
AU - Timm Denecke
AU - Hans-Jonas Meyer
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/23
JO - Frontiers in Surgery
DO - 10.3389/fsurg.2026.1911891
UR - https://doi.org/10.3389/fsurg.2026.1911891
AB - ObjectiveQuality of life assessment is strictly related to patients physical functioning. Despite the fact that earlier research has concentrated on the role of osteoporosis, the question of whether opportunistic bone mineral density (BMD) assessment can assist in determining physical functioning remains unresolved. This exploratory analysis aims to elucidate whether the opportunistic BMD assessment defined by computed tomography (CT) images is associated with quality of life in long-term follow-up in patients with traumatic rib fractures.MethodsAll patients had rib fractures without polytrauma. A total of 72 patients, including 27 female patients (37.5%), with a median age of 60 years, were included in the present study. Contrast-enhanced CT imaging was obtained and vertebral trabecular attenuation in HU at Th12 level was measured. CT scans were perfomed using a tube voltage of 120 kVp. Quality of life was assessed using the Short Form 36-Item Health Survey (SF-36) no earlier than four years after trauma.ResultsOpportunistically measured BMD obtained at 120 kVp showed a moderate correlation with the physical functioning (PF) with a r = 0.43 (p ≤ 0.001). The severely impaired PF group showed a significantly lower level of vertebral trabecular attenuation with a median value of 118 HU compared to 172 HU of the non-impaired group (p = 0.004). CT-derived BMD showed a moderate predictive ability for severely impaired PF (AUC = 0.78) with a cut-off level of 132 HU.ConclusionCT-derived opportunistic BMD measurement at Th12 level is correlated with severe physical functioning impairment in patients with rib fractures in long-term follow-up. The potential role of CT images in patients with traumatic rib fractures, beyond diagnostic purposes, needs further assessment.
SN - 2296-875X
ER -