RU2366363C2 - Method of digital software-based evaluation of x-ray patterns in osteoporosis diagnostics - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: medicine.

SUBSTANCE: invention concerns medicine, namely traumatology, orthopaedics and rheumatology. Estimate of femoral bone mineral density is ensured by evaluating X-ray patterns. Then cortical index of proximal femur is calculated within examination level to be distanced from lesser trochanter and specified to measure up to the distance between the apex of greater trochanter to the middle of lesser trochanter.

EFFECT: method is easy-to-implement, and does not require the expensive equipment.

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Description

The invention relates to medicine, namely to traumatology, orthopedics and rheumatology, and can be used to determine and monitor the state of bone mineral density.

In connection with an increase in the frequency of fractures with osteoporosis, there is a need for the diagnosis of osteoporosis directly upon admission to the hospital. The choice of the treatment method largely depends on the condition of the bone tissue. In the clinic, it is not always possible to assess the degree of osteoporotic changes by generally accepted instrumental methods. Densitometry is an objective study that directly measures the x-ray density of the bone, excluding the effect of the "human factor", its data is convenient to record and evaluate, however, its implementation requires special equipment, which not all medical institutions are equipped with [1].

The simplest known method for assessing the degree of osteoporosis is the X-ray method for determining the cortical index [3, 4], (Fig. 1) using a millimeter tape or when examined on a computer tomograph, however, the method for determining the cortical index with a millimeter tape does not quite meet modern requirements and does not always gives accurate results, and on a computed tomograph there is the possibility of accurate measurement, but there is no software for automatically calculating the cortical index [5], and not all medical facilities are equipped with a computer tomograph [1]. Therefore, a method for digital computer processing of X-ray data was developed by an original program evaluating the cortical index.

The prototype of the invention was a method of digital processing of x-rays of the spine [2]. However, this study is performed only for radiographs of the spine.

The developed method allows you to evaluate the results of an x-ray image, the proximal femur, metacarpals and individual vertebrae, to obtain accurate results with automatic calculation, saving in a database with the possibility of subsequent analysis.

The result of the invention is achieved by scanning or photographing an x-ray, the resulting image is entered into the database, and after determination and measurement at the research level, the cortical index is automatically calculated, the data are entered into the program using a digital camera or a flatbed scanner.

The drawings show:

Figure 1: Scheme for determining the cortical index by the formula (KMI = E / F), where 1 = the distance from the middle of the small trochanter to the study level, and it is 7.5-10 cm [6, 7].

2 = E, 3 = F.

Figure 2: X-ray of the proximal part of the right femur, where line 1 is drawn from the top of the greater trochanter to the middle of the minor trochanter to determine the level of research.

Figure 3: An enlarged image of the study level, where line 2 from the outer walls of the corticals and line 3 from the inner walls of the corticals are drawn, for subsequent automatic calculation.

Figures 4: Computer tomogram data showing the distance from the top of the greater trochanter to the middle of the minor trochanter, where 1 = 8 cm.

Figures 5: Computer tomogram data showing the distance from the top of the greater trochanter to the middle of the minor trochanter, where 1 = 7.6 cm.

Figures 6: Computer tomogram data showing the distance from the top of the greater trochanter to the middle of the minor trochanter, where 1 = 8.5 cm.

Figures 7: Computed tomogram data showing the distance from the top of the greater trochanter to the middle of the minor trochanter, where 1 = 7.7 cm.

The method is as follows.

An x-ray is scanned or photographed to obtain a digital image. The patient data and the date of the study are entered into the database, then an image is added. The next step on the displayed image of the proximal femur is a line from the top of the greater trochanter to the middle of the small one to obtain the level of research (this distance is on average 8 cm (Figs. 4, 5, 6, 7)). The level of research can be increased by 8 times for a more accurate analysis. Then two lines are drawn: the first from the outer walls of the corticals at the study level, the second from the inner walls of the corticals at the study level. After the second line, automatic calculation is performed and the data is entered into the database (Figure 2).

This technique is simple to implement, does not require the purchase of additional expensive equipment, and therefore it can be widely used in medical practice.

In the proposed method, it is necessary to have an x-ray apparatus with which a picture of the investigated area is taken. This image must be scanned or photographed with a digital camera. After that, the image is downloaded to a personal computer and evaluated using the proposed method.

 Literature

1. Recommendations of the WHO working group on the study and treatment of patients with osteoporosis // Osteoporosis and osteopathy. No. 4, 1999, pp. 2-6.

2. U. Massafra, F. Vaca, E. Mascheroni, M. Diaco, A. Capuano, A. Migliore. Use Of Morphoexpress In The Clinical Practice On Bone Metabolism: Experience From 250 Cases // Clinical Cases In Mineral And Bone Metabolism, Vol. 111, September-December, 2006, N.3, P 372.

3. Y. Yeung., K.Y. Chiu, W.P. Yau, W.M. Tang and T.P. NG Assessment of the Proximal Femoral Morphology Using Plain Radiograph - Can it Predict the Bom - Quality? // The Journal of Arthroplasty, Vol.21, Number, 4, 2006.

4. Spotorno I., Romagnoli S. Indications (or the CLS stem. In: Spotorno I., Romagnoli S. editors. The CLS uncemented total hip replacement system. Berne, Switzerland: Protek; 1991. P 4.

5. Guide to E-Film software for computed tomography.

Claims (1)

A method for assessing the mineral density of the bone tissue of the femur, including the assessment of x-ray images and calculating the cortical index of the proximal femur at the study level, which is determined by the distance from the trochantericum, characterized in that the level of research is determined by the distance equal to the distance from the top of the trochanter the middle of a small skewer.

Images