Abstract: Objective    To explore the correlation between CT reconstruction values and endplate compression strength by using CT post-processing techniques.    Methods    After conventional CT scanning of five calf lumbar vertebrae, endplates were reconstructed by using CT post-processing techniques and the average CT value of five standardized test points was measured. The lumbar vertebrae were then dissected into 30 free vertebrae, and a 5 mm diameter flat-bottomed pressure head was used to perform uniaxial compression tests at a rate of 12 mm/min on standardized test points of bony endplates. The failure load values of each test point were determined based on the load-displacement curve to calculate the compressive strength. The intraclass correlation coefficient was used to verify the consistency of the measurement results, and correlation analysis was applied to analyze the correlation between CT reconstruction values and endplate compression strength.    Results    The intra- and inter-observer intraclass correlation coefficients of the reconstructed CT values and the compression strength of the calf vertebral test points were both greater than 0.9, and the reconstructed CT values and compression strength of the corresponding test points had a strong correlation (r>0.8, P<0.01).     Conclusions    There is a significant correlation between CT reconstruction values of endplates and their compression strength, which can be used as a reference index to assess endplate strength before surgery.

Key words:  , CT,  ,  , Endplate,  ,  , CT Value,  ,  , Biomechanics