The use of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry images to evaluate the risk of bone fracture

Bone fractures caused by the osteoporosis become major problem of public health, and therefore, this subject becomes an increasingly important goal for both clinicians and biomedical researchers. The clinical implementation of three dimensional Computed Tomography Finite Element (3D CT/FE) methods is still limited due to the requirement of expensive computer hardware to achieve solutions of 3D FE models within a clinically acceptable time, as well as, the need for robust 3D segmentation and meshing techniques. Segmentation, meshing and FE analysis of a two dimensional (2D) geometry can be accomplished fast and are potentially more robust than of 3D CT/FE. The purpose of this study is to propose a 2D FE model derived from Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry images (DXA), for possible clinical use with a high-quality compromise between the complexity and capability of the simulation. The results obtained suggest that 2D models can be applied with high accuracy to simulate the fracture failure and fracture type pattern. This model can provide a practical and rapid tool for which is capable in helping the clinical purposes.