Jadzic, J. (57217214308)J. (57217214308)JadzicCvetkovic, D. (57191664945)D. (57191664945)CvetkovicMilovanovic, P. (25927301300)P. (25927301300)MilovanovicTomanovic, N. (22941937200)N. (22941937200)TomanovicZivkovic, V. (36783131300)V. (36783131300)ZivkovicNikolic, S. (7102082739)S. (7102082739)NikolicDjuric, M. (12243542300)M. (12243542300)DjuricDjonic, D. (6504271198)D. (6504271198)Djonic2025-06-122025-06-122020https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-020-05509-7https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85086777324&doi=10.1007%2fs00198-020-05509-7&partnerID=40&md5=957b108e433ba2d15ceba2d422cf8a81https://remedy.med.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/4739Summary: Although vertebral fracture is more common among alcoholic liver cirrhosis patients when compared to general population, current data on three-dimensional micro-architecture are scarce. Our study showed significant trabecular deterioration in lumbar vertebrae obtained from alcoholic liver cirrhosis donors, suggesting that they should be advised to undergo early-stage screening for osteoporosis. Purpose: Recent studies showed an increased incidence of vertebral fractures in alcoholic liver cirrhosis (ALC) patients, while data about vertebral micro-structure are still limited. The aim of this study was to compare trabecular and cortical micro-architecture of lumbar vertebrae between ALC patients and healthy age- and sex-matched controls. Methods: Our study included lumbar vertebral samples of male cadaveric donors, divided into ALC (n = 20, age: 59 ± 6 years) and control group (n = 20, age: 59 ± 8 years). Following pathohistological verification of liver cirrhosis, trabecular and cortical bone micro-architecture was analyzed by micro-computed tomography (micro-CT). Results: Micro-CT evaluation of the trabecular bone in lumbar vertebrae showed a significant decrease in bone volume fraction, trabecular thickness, trabecular number, and connectivity (p < 0.01). In contrast to trabecular deterioration, prominent alteration in cortical parameters was not observed in lumbar vertebrae of ALC patients (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Our data indicate that susceptibility to non-traumatic fractures in ALC patients could be explained by alterations in trabecular bone micro-architecture. Thus, we genuinely recommend osteological screening of the lumbar spine for all ALC patients in order to evaluate individual fracture risk. [Figure not available: see fulltext.]. © 2020, International Osteoporosis Foundation and National Osteoporosis Foundation.Alcoholic liver cirrhosisMicro-CTOsteoporosisTrabecular micro-architectureVertebral fractures