Cervical Bone Density in Polytrauma CT

This study is a monocentric retrospective data analysis. 198 patients who received contrast-enhanced polytrauma CT scans (256-slice Multi Detector Ct Scanner GE Healthcare Revolution; slice thickness 0.625 mm; tube spectra 80–120 kV, tube current: Smart mA 100–755, voxel size: 1,25 mm, pitch: 0.922:1, rotation time: 0.5 s, detection coverage: 80 mm) in a period between 01/01/2020 and 31/06/2021 at a maximum care hospital were included in the study. Patients were subsequently included in chronological order depending on the date of examination. Data collection was performed anonymously in an Excel spreadsheet by a single physician. Basic information (patient age, sex, examination date) and Hounsfield units and vertebral bone density of C2 were recorded. Bone density values were calculated using the formula of Buenger et al. (QCT value = 0.71 × HU + 13.82) [1 (link)]. The data were stratified by sex and decade of life. The overall study design and conduct were approved by the local ethic committee (Reg.-Nr.: 2020-2030-Daten).
Patients without age limitation who underwent contrast-enhanced polytrauma CT polytrauma were included.
Exclusion criteria were pathologies such as C2 fractures, surgery with material implantation in the upper cervical spine, signs of osteochondrosis or spondylodiscitis and artifacts due to implanted materials or other causes.