Correlation between Mean CT Density Values in Different Vertebrae

In the available literature no general opinion has been given concerning proportional differences in CT density values in subsequent lumbar vertebrae, neither in healthy people, nor in osteoporotic patients. Some authors (Cann and Genant, 1980) tend to the hypothesis that in the normal individual BMC determinations on each lumbar level may result in identical CT density values. This in contrast to the osteoporotic patient in whom CT density values on different levels may be unequal. In other words: the differences in CT density on subsequent vertebral levels might be individual dependent.