Paggiosi MA, et al. - Researchers explored the ability of lumbar spine bone mineral apparent density (BMAD), trabecular bone score (TBS) and volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) to discriminate between postmenopausal women with low areal bone mineral density (aBMD) by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) with and without vertebral fractures. They divided postmenopausal women into three groups, i.e. group 1, aBMD T-score < − 1.0 and ≥ 1 vertebral fracture (n = 39); group 2, aBMD T-score < − 1.0 and no vertebral fracture, age- and aBMD-matched to group 1 (n = 34); group 3, aBMD score > − 1 and no vertebral fracture, age-matched to group 1 (n = 37). The results showed that lumbar spine volumetric bone mineral density (BMD) estimated using quantitative CT (QCT) can discriminate between postmenopausal women with low areal BMD with and without vertebral fractures. Excludes the vertebral posterior elements and accounts for bone size, QCT gives a 3D measure of BMD. This information could provide effective treatment for targeting individuals with low BMD.