Attempt at standardization of bone quantitative ultrasound in Japan

Dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is used to diagnose osteoporosis. On the other hand, quantitative ultrasound (QUS) is widely used to assess bone density as part of medical screening as it is relatively inexpensive and easy to perform. Current QUS devices do not share precise ultrasound-related parameters, such as frequency, waveform, beam pattern, transient response, definition of propagation time, definition of degree of attenuation, and precise measurement site, resulting in different measurements across models. The Japan Osteoporosis Society established a QUS Standardization Committee in 2007 to investigate standardization of speed of sound (SOS) and broadband ultrasonic attenuation (BUA) measurements to resolve this issue. The committee came up with a formula to convert SOS and BUA values yielded by each model available in Japan. This has made it possible to convert QUS measurements from different models into standardized values, greatly improving the effectiveness of QUS measurements.     

骨定量超声的临床应用

骨定量超声(quantitative ultrasound,QUS)测量技术最早于1984年由Langton等[1]报道用于评估骨组织情况,其证实QUS能识别与绝经相关的骨量变化,并可评估因骨脆性增加而导致的骨折风险。如今,该技术已广泛应用于临床研究,特别是用于绝经期妇女的骨质疏松评估,其不仅能反映     

The role of quantitative ultrasound in the assessment of bone: a review

Quantitative ultrasound (QUS) bone measurement is a promising, relatively new technique for the diagnosis of osteoporosis. Unlike to the more established method of bone densitometry [measurement of bone mineral density (BMD) e.g. using dual X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA)], QUS does not use ionizing radiation. It is cheaper, takes up less space and is easier to use than densitometry techniques. The two QUS parameters currently measured are broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA) and speed of sound (SOS). The reported age-related changes for healthy women range from ?0·27% to ?1·62% per year for BUA and from ?0·06% to ?0·19% per year for SOS. Precision ranges from 1·0 to 3·8% (CV) for BUA and from 0·19 to 0·30% (CV) for SOS. The new method of imaging ultrasound has improved the precision of QUS measurements. QUS is significantly correlated with BMD. Studies with the latest equipment have shown r-values between 0·6 and 0·9 in site-specific measurements, and QUS is thus believed to reflect mainly BMD. However, other studies indicate that QUS measures something other than the actual mineral content of bone, namely bone quality, e.g. in vitro studies have shown that QUS reflects trabecular orientation independently of BMD. In both cross-sectional and prospective studies, QUS seems to be as good a predictor of osteoporotic fractures as BMD. In two large prospective studies, QUS also predicted fracture risk independently of BMD. QUS has just begun to be used systematically for monitoring the response to anti-osteoporotic treatments in prospective trials. In the studies performed, QUS has been found to be useful in the follow-up of patients. QUS is thus a promising new technique for bone assessment.     

常规超声定量评估骨龄

目的 与X线评估骨化率（OR）对比,评价常规超声评估标准骨龄（BA）的价值及其简易方法。方法 对215例患者（男88例,女127例）于1周内先后行左手及腕部X线检查和超声检查,测量桡骨、尺骨,第1、3、5掌骨,第1、3、5近节指骨,第3、5中节指骨及第1、3、5远节指骨共13块骨骼的骨化中心及骨骺长径,计算各目标骨骨化中心与骨骺长径之比,获得其OR及BA,分析OR与BA的相关性。结果 男、女性患者各目标骨的OR与BA呈中-高度相关（r_男为0.77~0.94,r_女为0.77~0.93,P均<0.001）,13块骨骼的OR总和与BA呈高度相关（r_男=0.96,r_女=0.96,P均<0.001）,桡骨、尺骨OR总和与BA呈高度相关（r_男=0.95,r_女=0.95,P均<0.001）。结论 常规超声具有定量评估BA的潜在价值;仅测量桡骨及尺骨或可作为超声评估BA的简易方法。     

Bone marrow influences quantitative ultrasound measurements in human cancellous bone

Quantitative ultrasound (QUS) transmission and backscatter measurements were made in 46 human cancellous bone specimens from the calcaneus. All QUS measurements were made at 35 degrees C, initially with marrow filling the pores and then repeated after substituting water for marrow. Bone mineral density (BMD) was determined using x-ray absorptiometry. Marrow significantly decreased ultrasound (US) velocity, but increased attenuation, attenuation slope and backscatter (p < 0.001 for all) compared to the water-saturated state. The impact of marrow on QUS measurements was greater at lower BMD values (p < 0.05), and was greater in women than in men (p < 0.05). QUS measurements in marrow-saturated specimens correlated less strongly with BMD than did corresponding measurements in water-saturated specimens (p < 0.05), consistent with interspecimen marrow heterogeneity. These data indicate that the potential impact of marrow should be considered when interpreting clinical QUS measurements. Understanding and exploiting these effects could lead to novel approaches for ultrasonic characterisation of both bone and marrow.     

Interlaboratory comparison of quantitative RT-PCR based detection for minimal residual disease in leukemias: a standardization approach in Japan

Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RQ-PCR) has been accepted as integral part of the management of patients with hematologic malignancies. Whereas standardization efforts of RQ-PCR, initiated by Europe Against Cancer (EAC) group, have been gradually widespread in the world, Japanese laboratories use their individual protocol for RQ-PCR analysis. Therefore, we assessed the variability of quantitative results obtained from 4 different laboratories in Japan, including 3 companies and Tohoku University Hospital, using identical peripheral blood or bone marrow samples of patients in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML; n = 11) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML; n = 2). RQ-PCR was designed to quantify the copy numbers of disease-specific fusion chimeras; BCR-ABL (CML) and AML1-ETO (AML). In 5 out of 13 samples, the quantitative results from 4 laboratories varied more than 10 times (up to 712 times). Thus, we next sought to determine factors affecting the variability of RQ-PCR results across laboratories, by sending back RNA and cDNA samples from each company to Tohoku University, and they were further proceed to yield quantitative data. The main difference between companies and Tohoku University was probably due to the difference of blood separation method (Blood lysis or Ficoll-Hypaque). On the other hand, the variability among 4 laboratories was the most noticeable in the PCR step, mainly attributable to the difference of primer/probe sequence among laboratories. In conclusion, our analyses indicate the importance to limit both preanalytical (sample processing) and analytical (RQ-PCR) interlaboratory variability for RQ-PCR protocol, and the need of further efforts on standardization program in Japan.     

跟骨定量超声骨质测量参数与骨密度及骨组织形态计量学指标的关系

目的:分析跟骨定量超声骨质测量中各参数与骨密度及形态计量学指标的相关性。方法:选择2004-01/2005-12广州市第六人民医院和中山大学三院骨科小腿以上截肢患者38例,将其跟骨定量超声测定的超声振幅衰减平均值与健康青年人骨峰值进行比较,>-2.5 SD者为骨量正常组(12例),<-2.5 SD者为骨质疏松组(26例)。分别进行跟骨定量超声、双能X线骨密度测量仪及骨形态计量学测量,应用直线相关分析法分析跟骨定量超声测定中各参数与骨密度及骨组织形态计量学各指标的相关性。结果:38例全部进入结果分析。①骨质疏松组跟骨超声振幅衰减平均值和骨硬度指数值均小于骨量正常组(P<0.01)。②骨量正常组跟骨骨密度值显著高于骨质疏松组[(352±16),(233±14)mg/cm2,P<0.01]。③骨量正常组跟骨平均骨小梁间距或弥散度低于骨质疏松组而松质骨体积高于骨质疏松组(P<0.05)。④超声振幅衰减平均值和骨硬度指数与骨密度呈直线正相关(r=0.814,0.326,P<0.01,0.05)。⑤超声传播速度与骨小梁游离末端、平均骨小梁间距呈直线负相关(r=-0.688,-0.712,P<0.01),与小梁间连点数、松质骨体积呈直线正相关(r=0.672,0.794,P<0.01);骨硬度指数与平均骨小梁间距呈直线负相关(r=-0.358,P<0.05),与松质骨体积呈直线正相关(r=0.513,P<0.01)。结论:跟骨定量超声测量中,超声振幅衰减平均值能较好地反映骨的密度,超声传播速度能较好地反映骨的质量,而骨硬度指数能较综合地反映骨强度的改变。     

定量超声测量甲亢患者骨质变化的临床价值

目的研究定量超声法测量甲亢患者骨质变化的临床价值。方法用定量超声法测量了347例存在高T3和T4的甲亢患者及性别和年龄相匹配的健康对照组的右跟骨超声参数超声振幅衰减(BUA)和超声传导速度(SOS)。结果甲亢患者的BUA值明显低于正常对照组(P＜0.01),骨质量丢失发生率明显高于正常对照组。BUA、SOS与T3、T4、促甲状腺激素(TSH)之间均无明显相关关系(|r|＜0.15,p＞0.05)。结论定量超声参数可以敏感地检测甲亢对骨质量的影响。     

定量超声技术对早期婴儿骨状况的评估作用

目的:应用定量超声(quantitativeultrasound,QUS)技术研究早期婴儿骨状况,探讨早期婴儿骨发育中的一些现象。方法:采用以色列Sunlight公司生产的Omnisense定量超声仪,对542例0～3个月内婴儿进行胫骨声波速度(speedofsound,SOS)测量。结果:①0～3个月婴儿男(327例)女(215例)间SOS值差异无显著性意义(F=0.963,P=0.327)。②早产儿在校正胎龄(correctedgesta-tionalage,CGA)达到39～42周时与相同胎龄足月儿相比,其SOS值显著性低于足月儿。③婴儿SOS值与生后年龄呈负相关(早产儿:r=-0.356,n=139,P=0.001;足月儿:r=-0.265,n=403,P=0.001)。④婴儿出生后SOS值有下降趋势,早产儿SOS值下降较足月儿明显,胎龄越小,SOS值下降越明显。结论:早期婴儿有SOS值下降的现象,早产儿SOS值低于足月儿,应该加强对早产儿骨状况的关注和早期干预。     

Broadband ultrasound attenuation in the os calcis: relationship to bone mineral at other skeletal sites

1. We have examined the relationship between broadband ultrasound attenuation in the os calcis and measurements of bone mineral in the distal forearm and lumbar spine of normal and postmenopausal osteoporotic women. 2. Values of broadband ultrasound attenuation in postmenopausal women with vertebral osteoporotic fractures were significantly lower (35%) than in normal pre- and peri-menopausal women (55.4 +/- 3.8 and 79.6 +/- 0.8 dB/MHz, respectively). 3. Broadband ultrasound attenuation correlated significantly with bone mineral content measured in the distal forearm by single-photon absorptiometry (r = 0.77, P less than 0.0001) and with bone mineral content (r = 0.66, P less than 0.0001) and bone mineral density (r = 0.72, P less than 0.0001) measured in the lumbar spine by dual-photon absorptiometry. 4. Although significant, these correlations are not sufficiently close to be predictive. However, the accuracy of broadband ultrasound attenuation in discriminating between normal subjects and patients with vertebral fracture compared very favourably with direct measurements in the spine by dual-photon absorptiometry. 5. Broadband ultrasound attenuation, but not the other measurements, correlated significantly with age in the osteoporotic patients (r = 0.50, P less than 0.05). 6. These findings may reflect the partial dependence of broadband ultrasound attenuation on the intrinsic trabecular architecture of cancellous bone, the disruption of which contributes to an increase in fracture risk.     

Evaluation of a gel-coupled quantitative ultrasound device for bone status assessment.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a new gel-coupled calcaneal quantitative ultrasound system, Osteospace (Medilink, Montpellier, France), which was designed to assess the status of bone in the calcaneus. METHODS: The study group consisted of 215 healthy white women aged 20 to 85 years and 51 white women aged 60 to 86 years with osteoporotic fractures. Fifty-two healthy women aged 50 to 85 years were randomly selected from the healthy cohort as the control group. All the women had calcaneal quantitative ultrasonic measurements. The women with osteoporotic fractures and the control group also had proximal femur and lumbar anteroposterior spine bone mineral density measurements using dual X-ray absorptiometry. Bone mineral density was also measured in a subgroup of 54 women at the calcaneus. RESULTS: There was a significant inverse correlation of broadband ultrasound attenuation and speed of sound with age (P < .001). Short-term measurement precision values expressed as coefficients of variation were 1.72% for broadband ultrasound attenuation and 0.64% for speed of sound, and standardized short-term precision values were 6.09% for broadband ultrasound attenuation and 3.87% for speed of sound. The correlations between the quantitative ultrasonic parameters and calcaneal bone mineral density were 0.69 (P = .0001) for broadband ultrasound attenuation and 0.45 (P = .0008) for speed of sound. Both quantitative ultrasonic parameters and all bone mineral density measurements of the hip and spine differed significantly between the control and osteoporotic fracture groups (P < .01). Age-, weight-, and height-adjusted odds ratios per SD decrease were as follows: broadband ultrasound attenuation, 1.79; speed of sound, 1.83; spine bone mineral density, 2.34; femoral neck bone mineral density, 1.69; and total hip bone mineral density, 1.85. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve for quantitative ultrasound parameters and bone mineral density measurements were close, ranging from 0.75 to 0.80. CONCLUSIONS: This new quantitative ultrasound system can detect age- and menopause-related influences on skeletal status and can discriminate healthy women from those with osteoporotic fractures in a manner comparable with that of bone mineral density measurement by dual X-ray absorptiometry.     

The ability of peripheral quantitative ultrasound to identify patients with low bone mineral density in the hip or spine

This study aims to assess the sensitivity and specificity of two commercially available quantitative ultrasound (QUS) scanners (CUBA Clinical, Sunlight Omnisense), to differentiate patients with osteoporosis (OP) or osteopenia at the spine and hip confirmed by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and to investigate the optimum cut-off values to maximize the effectiveness of the screening technique. Participants (n = 268) received DXA scans on their lumbar spine (L1-L4) and hip, with paired QUS scans on their distal radius, proximal phalanx, midshaft tibia and calcaneus. Scanners were evaluated by using receiver-operating characteristics curves and their area under the curve (AUC) values. Measurement of the calcaneus by the CUBA Clinical showed a superior ability to predict DXA, with AUC values between 0.75 to 0.83 in comparison with AUC values of 0.60 to 0.70 for the Sunlight Omnisense. Cut-off values varied according to the technique used and the accuracy of the screening required. Assessment of the calcaneus was the best QUS technique for the prediction of low bone density at the axial skeleton as diagnosed by DXA.     

影像学评估和定量超声法对儿童骨营养状况的评估价值

文章简述了儿童骨密度测量的各种影像学方法及特点,包括X线光片法(radiographicabsorptiometry,RA)、光子吸收法、双能X线吸收法(dual-energyx-rayabsorptiometry,DXA)和定量CT法(quantitativecomputedtomography,QCT)等。对定量超声法(quantitativeultrasound,QUS)的测量原理、测量参数意义、技术特点及进展做了深入叙述。并概述QUS在儿科的研究应用情况。     

定量超声在诊断老年性骨质疏松症中的应用

目的　探讨跟骨定量超声在诊断老年性骨质疏松症中的可行性及T值和Z值在诊断中的意义。方法　使用美国Lunar公司生产的AchillesExpress定量超声骨测量仪对 30 2例 6 0～ 80岁门诊体检人员右跟骨进行测定。结果　T值 < 1SD有 2 16例占总数的 72 % ,Z值 < 1SD有 72例占总数的 2 4 %。结论　定量超声检测对老年性骨质疏松症的早期诊断及骨折的预测具有一定价值 ,T值在诊断骨质疏松中起参考作用 ,对预防骨质疏松有重要意义 ,Z值在诊断骨质疏松中起决定作用 ,并对治疗骨质疏松有重要的指导意义。     

乳腺超声新技术在超声规培医生临床带教中的应用

超声医学规范化培训医生的临床带教问题近年来越来越受重视,如何在有限的规范化培训周期内结合超声新技术进行临床带教,既提高规培医生的超声扫查及诊断水平,又能跟进临床研究新进展,是超声教学探索的方向。作者结合文献复习及教学经验,以乳腺超声带教为例,探讨自动乳腺三维容积成像、超声造影、弹性成像、介入超声等新技术的教学应用及优势,为超声临床教学方法的改进提供参考。     

Pharmacist-provided quantitative heel ultrasound screening for rural women at risk of osteoporosis

BACKGROUND: Osteoporosis is underdiagnosed, and rural communities often have limited technical resources for the assessment of osteoporosis. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of a pharmacist, trained in the use of a portable heel ultrasound device, in screening elderly rural women for risk of osteoporosis and determine whether those found to be at risk seek further help and treatment from their general practitioner (GP) following screening. METHODS: Following promotion of the service, 345 women were recruited from 6 rural community pharmacies in Tasmania, Australia, and underwent quantitative heel ultrasound screening. Women were comprehensively educated on risk factors for osteoporosis and completed a calcium intake questionnaire. Results were forwarded to each woman's GP, and the participants were followed up 3 months later to assess outcomes from the screening procedure. RESULTS: Approximately 20% of women were shown to be at high risk for osteoporosis; 201 (58%) of these were referred to their GP for further assessment. Sixty-eight percent of women who were screened discussed their results with their GP, and 11% underwent further investigation. Over one-third of women screened began medication (30% calcium, 6% bisphosphonate, 6% vitamin D) for osteoporosis. CONCLUSIONS: Pharmacist-provided screening for osteoporosis in rural areas is a potentially useful method to identify women at risk for fracture and a convenient time point for discussion of preventive therapy.