Application of high resolution pQCT analysis for the assessment of a bone lesion: A technical note

• pQCT helps in gaining a precise reconstruction of lesions within trabecular bone.
• Elaboration of 3D models helps in estimating the volume of the lack of tissues.
• The application of pQCT scan is a useful tool for assessment of bone lesions.

Peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) has found new fields of application in bone medicine, but none of them concerns the forensic practice. This study exposes the potential of pQCT applied to a penetrating lesion in a vertebral body. A pQCT scanner was used for the measurements (XCT Research SA+; Stratec Medizintechnik GmbH, Pforzheim, Germany). A more precise reconstruction of the path of the lesion within the trabecular bone was reached, with more details concerning the morphological characteristics of the lesion inside the vertebral body, and the elaboration of a 3D model was created, which allowed the operator to define the volume of the lack of tissues related to the lesion. The application of pQCT scan proved to be a potentially useful tool for the assessment of bone lesions, although further studies are needed in order to verify its applicability to forensic context.