Which bone type can be isolated from cortical bone during QCT?

• A. Trabecular Bone
• B. Compact Bone
• C. Skeletal Bone
• D. Cancellous Bone

Answer: (A)

In quantitative computed tomography (QCT), trabecular bone is the type that can be isolated from cortical bone. Trabecular bone, also known as cancellous or spongy bone, is characterized by its porous structure and is typically found within the interior of bones.

QCT specifically allows for the differentiation between these two types of bone because it provides the ability to segment images based on density differences. Cortical bone has a denser, more solid structure, while trabecular bone has a lower density due to its honeycomb-like architecture. This imaging technique is essential for assessing bone health, particularly in the context of osteoporosis, as trabecular bone is often more metabolically active and susceptible to changes in density than cortical bone.

The other options do not accurately describe the bone type that can be isolated during QCT. Compact bone, also known as cortical bone, refers to the dense outer layer and is not the type that is isolated in this context. Skeletal bone is a general term that encompasses all types of bone within the skeleton and does not refer to a specific type identifiable on QCT. Cancellous bone is essentially synonymous with trabecular bone, which adds to the confusion in terminology but reinforces that trabecular bone