Association Between Vertebral Bone Quality Score and Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry for the Assessment of Bone Mineral Density in Adolescent Patients

Background: The MRI-based vertebral bone quality (VBQ) score is an assessment tool for bone mineral density (BMD) that has been validated in adults against the clinical standard of dual -energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). However, VBQ has yet to be validated against DEXA for use in adolescents. This study evaluated the associations between adolescent VBQ scores, DEXA Z -scores, and BMD values. Methods: The radiographic records of 63 consecutive patients between the ages of 11 and 21 who underwent MRI of the abdomen and pelvis and DEXA of the spine and hip were retrieved. The collected radiographic data consisted of the MRI-based VBQ score, DEXA Z -score, and BMD values of the femoral neck, L1-4 vertebrae, and total body. The VBQ score was calculated by taking the median signal intensity (MSI) from L1 -L4 and the SI of the L3 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The VBQ score was derived as the quotient of MSIL1-L4 divided by SICSF. Results: A mean VBQ score of 2.41 +/- 0.29 was observed. Strong correlations of -0.749 (p<0.0001) and -0.780 (p<0.0001) were detected between the VBQ score and DEXA femoral neck and spine Z -scores, respectively. Correlations between VBQ score and DEXA femoral neck, spine, and total body BMD scores were -0.559 (p<0.0001), -0.611 (p<0.0001), and -0.516 (p<.0001), respectively. No significant correlations were found between the VBQ score and age, BMI, weight, or height. A mean difference in VBQ score of -0.155 (p=0.035) was observed between sexes. VBQ demonstrated moderate predictive ability for DEXA-derived Z -scores and BMD scores. Conclusions: VBQ scores were strongly correlated with DEXA Z -scores and moderately correlated with BMD values. The VBQ score can also be used by adolescent patients as an accessory tool to assess bone health.