Quantitative computed tomography

Quantitative computed tomography
ICD-988.98

Quantitative computed tomography (QCT) is a medical technique that measures bone mineral density (BMD) using a standard X-ray computed tomography (CT) scanner with a calibration standard to convert Hounsfield units (HU) of the CT image to bone mineral density values.[1] Quantitative CT scans are primarily used to evaluate bone mineral density at the lumbar spine and hip.

In general, solid phantoms placed in a pad under the patient during CT image acquisition are used for calibration. These phantoms contain materials that represent a number of different equivalent bone mineral densities. Usually either calcium hydroxyapatite (CaHAP) or potassium phosphate (K2HPO4) are used as the reference standard.[2]

Image of cortical and trabecular bone of the spine by Quantitative computed tomography. Only the central trabecular portion is measured
  1. ^ J. E. Adams, "Quantitative computed tomography.," European journal of radiology, vol. 71, no. 3, pp. 415-24, Sep. 2009.
  2. ^ K G Faulkner, C C Glüer, S Grampp, and H K Genant, "Cross-calibration of liquid and solid QCT calibration standards: Corrections to the UCSF normative data" Osteoporosis International, vol. 3, no. 1, pp. 36-42, 1993.