Correlations between breaking load and CT absorption values of vertebral bodies.

Computed tomography was performed in 25 freshly isolated thoracic and lumbar vertebral bodies of different heights. Their breaking strength was analyzed in a static compression test and compared to the obtained absorption values. It was possible to demonstrate a correlation between absorption values and breaking load which is represented as a logarithmic function. Absorption by cancellous bone in the various vertebrae of one and the same individual was constant. It was dependent upon age. Absorption by cortical bone increased from cranially to caudally and was barely influenced by age in our test material. The sum of the cancellous and cortical absorption values increased from cranially to caudally like the load carrying capacity. The absorption values showed a normal distribution, and the error of reproducibility was approx. 2%.