Abstract #1711

Griffith J, Yeung D, Antonio G

Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by reduced bone strength predisposing to fracture. MRI/MRS enables investigation of various aspects of bone physiology, namely marrow fat content and perfusion that may provide insight as to the pathogenesis of osteoporosis. The vertebral bodies and the erector spinae muscles are both supplied by the paired segmental lumbar arteries. If a reduction in bone marrow perfusion indices are related to general circulatory impairment or atherosclerosis in the aorta or main lumbar arteries, a similar reduction in perfusion indices is to be expected to occur in the erector spinae muscle. The aims of this study were: (a) to determine if comparable changes in vertebral marrow fat content and perfusion indices, reported in male subjects of differing bone density, are also seen in female subjects; (b) to examine the relationship between vertebral marrow and erector spinae muscle perfusion indices and bone density.