Weight-Loss Surgery Weakens Bones of Teens and Young Adults (IMAGE)
Caption
Biomechanical noncontrast CT analysis of the L1 vertebra in an 18-year-old woman with severe obesity (body mass index [BMI], 48.4 kg/m2) prior to sleeve gastrectomy (SG) and 24 months after surgery (BMI, 26.6 kg/m2). L1 vertebra was loaded to 9820 N at both visits for comparison purposes. Breaking strength was (A) 11 920 N at baseline prior to SG and (B) 9820 N at 24 months after surgery. Cutout views of the finite element models under compressive load depict the distribution of bone mineral density (black and white areas) and bone failure (colored areas). Red indicates tissue that failed earlier during the compressive load (weaker bone). Shades of gray indicate different bone densities, with white being dense bone and black being little or no bone mineral.
Credit
Radiological Society of North America
Usage Restrictions
May use with credit.
License
Licensed content