Disuse Bone Loss in Fusion Constructs After Multilevel Lumbar Fusion: A Computed Tomography Hounsfield Unit Analysis

Neurospine 2026 Open access

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Authors: Hyun Jun Jang, Dongkyu Kim, Bong-Ju Moon, Kyung-Hyun Kim, Jeong-Yoon Park, Sung-Uk Kuh, Keun-Su Kim, Dong Kyu Chin
DOI: 10.14245/ns.2551272.636
Cited by: 2
References: 28

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate long-term bone quality changes within the fusion construct (FC) after 2- to 3-level lumbar fusion using computed tomography (CT)-derived Hounsfield units (HUs). METHODS: Among 520 screened patients, 222 who underwent 2- to 3-level posterior lumbar interbody fusion met the inclusion criteria. HU values were measured on CT scans preoperatively, at 1-year postoperative, and at final follow-up. The percentage change in HU (HU [final-pre]%) was calculated for each vertebral level. RESULTS: At the final follow-up, the FC demonstrated a significant decline in HU compared to preoperative values (median [10th-90th percentile], 132.0 [86.5-220.4]; 95% confidence interval [CI], 116.0-142.5 vs. 124.5 [71.0- 210.0]; 109.8-135.1; HU (final-pre)%: -11.0 [-62.0 to 48.5]; -19.9 to -6.1; p

Fields of Study & Subjects

Spine and Intervertebral Disc Pathology Cervical and Thoracic Myelopathy Spinal Fractures and Fixation Techniques

Publication details

Journal / source
Neurospine
Publisher
The Korean Spinal Neurosurgery Society
Volume
23
Issue
1
Pages
176–186
Publication date
30 January 2026
Language
EN