Measurements of bone mineral density of the proximal femur by two commercially available dual energy X-ray absorptiometric systems

Two dual energy X-ray absorptiometric (DXA) instruments have recently become commercially available for local bone densitometry: the QDR-1000 (Hologic Inc.) and the DPX (Lunar Radiation Corp.). We report the precision, influence of femoral rotation, correlation and agreement of bone mineral measurements of the proximal femur by these two instruments. In vitro (femur phantom) short-term precision was 1.1%–3.5%, and the long-term precision was 1.2%–3.8%. In vivo (groups of 10 premenopausal and 10 postmenopausal women) short-term precision of duplicate measurements was 1.6%–4.7%, and long-term precision was 1.9%–5.5%. Overall, the precision for Ward's triangle was over 3% and that for the femoral neck and trochanter, 2%–3%. Rotation of a femur phantom produced a statistically significant change in the bone mineral density (BMD) of the femoral neck. Within a clinically relevant range of femoral rotation (20° inward rotation ±5°) the coefficient of variation (CV%) increased by a mean factor of 1.1–1.4. Although the correlation (r < 0.9) between BMD measurements of the proximal femur by the DPX and QDR-1000 in 30 postmenopausal women was high, there was lack of agreement between the two instruments. We found no statistically significant differences between the right and left femur in 30 postmenopausal women. A bilateral femur scan took a mean total time of about 22 min. We conclude that with the introduction of DXA instruments, the precision of bone mineral measurements of the proximal femur has improved. However, for comparability between commercially available DXA instruments, it might be advantageous if units were standardized. Offprint requests to: O.L. Svendsen     

Comparative performance in vitro and in vivo of Lunar DPX and Hologic QDR-1000 dual energy X-ray absorptiometers.

The measured absolute bone mineral density values of spine and femur and their precision were compared on two dual energy X-ray absorptiometers, the Lunar DPX and the Hologic QDR-1000. There were systematic differences between the two systems, the Lunar DPX always giving a higher bone density value. The ratio of the mean Lunar DPX/Hologic QDR-1000 bone density measurements obtained in vivo was 1.13 g/cm2 for spine (L2-L4) and 1.20-1.43 g/cm2 for femur measurements. For both systems, short- and long-term precision (coefficient of variation) was below 0.5% for spine in vitro measurements and below 1.5% for neck of femur in vitro measurements. Precision of in vivo measurements was less good, especially for femur measurements. The coefficient of variation of spine measurements was dependent on bone density and deteriorated with decreased bone mineral density and increased body thickness.     

Intersite comparison of the Hologic QDR-1000 dual energy X-ray bone densitometer

We have compared results from 13 Hologic QDR-1000 bone densitometers: (i) by performing spine and hip scans on two normal volunteers; (ii) by acquiring sets of 10 sequential scans on a Hologic anthropomorphic spine phantom. For each QDR-1000 site visited a set of spine phantom scans was also acquired on a QDR-1000 at Guy's Hospital to serve as a control study. All scans were analysed using the Hologic scan comparison software. Radiographers at each site were asked to perform their own independent analysis of the scans of the two volunteers. The precision of the bone mineral density (BMD), bone mineral content (BMC) and projected area (Area) results for a set of 10 phantom scans was 0.11%, 0.14% and 0.12% respectively. The coefficient of variation (CV) between sites for the sets of phantom scans was 0.58% for BMD, 0.71% for BMC and 0.35% for Area. In comparison, CVs for the phantom scans acquired on a single QDR-1000 were 0.23%, 0.23% and 0.09% respectively. The CV for the BMD results on the two volunteers obtained using the scan comparison software averaged 1.4% for the spine and 2.1% for the femoral neck. The CV for the results obtained by site radiographers averaged 2.2% for the spine and 3.7% for the femoral neck. Significant differences in the technique used for hip analysis were found. Conclusions: (i) differences in calibration between systems were generally less than 1%; (ii) variations in results resulting from differences in analytical technique were more significant than those resulting from differences in calibration.     

Precision of dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry in determining bone mineral density and content of various skeletal sites.

Repeated measurements of bone mineral density (BMD) by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) reliably indicate changes in the bone mineral content (BMC) of the lumbar spine and proximal femur, but its applicability to other sites has not been properly determined. The in-vivo day-to-day precision of DEXA (Norland XR-26) for lumbar spine, femoral neck, distal femur, patella, proximal tibia, calcaneus and distal radius was evaluated for 15 subjects who were scanned three times for 2 wk. Intra- and interobserver errors were also determined for image analysis. For clearly defined regions of interest, the following precision values were obtained for BMD with low intra- and interobserver error: 1.7% (lumbar spine), 1.3% (femoral neck), 1.2% (distal femur), 1.0% (patella), 0.7% (proximal tibia), 1.3% (calcaneus) and 1.9% (distal radius). The precision for BMC was lower. The results indicate that DEXA can successfully and precisely measure BMD of sites not commonly assessed by this technique.     

Geometry of proximal femur in the prediction of hip fracture in osteoporotic women

111 White post-menopausal women with hip fracture and 329 healthy controls were studied in order to determine whether proximal femur geometry predicts hip fracture and improves the discriminant ability of femoral neck bone mineral density (BMD) in elderly women. All subjects underwent dual X-ray photon absorptiometry (DXA) of the hip from which the femoral neck BMD, hip axis length, femoral neck width and femoral neck-shaft angle were measured. Fractured subjects had a lower femoral neck BMD, a longer hip axis length and a more valgus neck-shaft angle. The hip axis length correlated significantly with neck-shaft angle, femoral neck width and age. No significant correlation was found between neck-shaft angle and age. On standardized logistic regression, the hip axis length and the neck-shaft angle predicted fracture independently of BMD after correction for age, weight and femoral neck BMD. The femoral neck BMD significantly discriminated fractured subjects after correction for all potential confounders. The logistic models containing simultaneously one femoral geometric parameter and the neck BMD discriminated significantly better than those containing the same variables as single predictor. Our data suggest that hip axis length may play a role in fracture risk and supports a similar role for neck-shaft angle. Combining proximal femur geometric measurements and femoral neck BMD improved the discriminant ability of each measurement.     

健康老年妇女近段股骨骨密度和结构的定量CT研究

目的 采用定量CT(QCT)和双能X线吸收测量(DXA)仪对健康老年妇女近段股骨骨密度(BMD)和骨结构进行研究,并对2种测量方法的结果进行比较.方法 对66名65岁以上健康妇女左侧髋关节进行DXA测量,计算出股骨颈和粗隆区BMD;对其双侧近段股骨进行QCT测量,计算出股骨颈、粗隆区和整体股骨ROI的皮质骨、松质骨和总体骨的BMD和体积;并将QCT三维图像模拟DXA的平面投影计算出模拟DXA股骨颈BMD和模拟DXA股骨粗隆区BMD.对所获数据进行配对t检验或非参数秩和检验,并用Pearson法分析DXA和QCT相对应ROI的相关性.结果 用QCT可以对股骨近段不同ROI(股骨颈、粗隆区和整体股骨区)及不同骨成分(皮质骨、松质骨和总体骨)的BMD及体积等参数进行精确的定量分析.除右侧股骨颈皮质骨BMD[(0.52±0.04)g/cm3]、股骨粗隆区皮质骨BMD[(0.49±0.03)g/cm3]、股骨粗隆区综合骨BMD[(0.22±0.04)g/cm3]大于左侧相应参数[分别为[(0.51±0.04)、(0.48±0.03)、(0.21±0.04)g/cm3],差异均有统计学意义(P值均<0.05),但差别均<3.3%;而模拟DXA股骨颈BMD、模拟DXA股骨粗隆区BMD、股骨颈皮质骨体积、股骨颈松质骨BMD、股骨颈松质骨体积、股骨颈综合骨BMD、股骨颈综合骨体积、股骨粗隆区皮质骨体积、股骨粗隆区松质骨BMD、股骨粗隆区松质骨体积、股骨粗隆区综合骨体积左侧参数分别为(0.52±0.10)g/cm2、(0.78±0.13)g/cm2、5.80 cm3、(0.06±0.03)g/cm3、(5.19±1.40)cm3、(0.25±0.04)g/cm3、15.66 cm3、(21.74±3.43)cm3、(0.08±0.03)g/cm3、(34.27±6.09)cm3、(76.12±11.11)cm3,右侧分别为(0.52±0.10)g/cm2、(0.78±0.13)g/cm2、6.01 cm3、(0.06±0.02)g/cm3、(5.17±1.27)cm3、(0.25±0.04)g/cm3、15.62 cm3、(22.12±3.60)cm3、(0.09±0.03)g/cm3、(34.17±5.94)cm3、(76.53±10.71)cm3,差异均无统计学意义(P值均>0.05).左右两侧近段股骨QCT各相对应参数之间的r值范围在0.656～0.955,均具有相关性(P<0.05).QCT模拟DXA股骨颈和粗隆区BMD与真正DXA测量的相应值之间r值分别为0.685和0.855,具有相关性(P<0.05).结论 利用QCT技术可以对老年妇女近段股骨不同区域和不同成分的BMD和结构进行精确定量分析,QCT是骨质疏松研究中非常有用的测量技术.     

多发性骨髓瘤患者骨密度的改变

目的 探讨多发性骨髓瘤（MM）患者骨密度改变的特点,评价双能X线骨密度仪（DXA）对MM患者骨密度（BMD）测量的价值。方法 采用Hologic QDR-2000型双能X线骨密度仪,测量34例MM患者及24例正常人全身、L2－4椎体正侧位及左股骨近端骨密度,动态监测免疫球蛋白G（IgG)型和未定型MM患者化疗前后的BMD;测定血清免疫蛋白、蛋白电泳、血钙和血磷。结果 （1）MM患者全身、腰椎、左股骨近端BMD明显低于正常人（P＜0．05）;（2）IgG型Ⅲ期患者BMD明显低于Ⅱ期（P＜0．05）;（3）IgG型腰椎BMD与IgG的变化呈负相关,而与全身、左股骨近端BMD无相关性;（4）MM常规化疗有效患者,腰椎BMD明显上升（P＜0．05）,全身及左股骨折近端的BMD反而下降。结论 DXA是定量监测MM患者BMD变化和评价疗效和敏感方法。MM患者BMD降低经有效治疗是可逆转的,但腰椎与股骨近端骨损害及骨修复是不均一的。     

Bone mineral density measurements of the proximal femur from routine contrast-enhanced MDCT data sets correlate with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry

Objectives

To evaluate the utility of femoral bone mineral density (BMD) measurements in routine contrast-enhanced multi-detector computed tomography (ceMDCT) using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) as the reference standard.

Methods

Forty-one patients (33 women, 8 men) underwent DXA measurement of the proximal femur. Subsequently, transverse sections of routine ceMDCT of these patients were used to measure BMD of the femoral head and femoral neck. The MDCT-to-DXA conversion equations for BMD and T-score were calculated using linear regression analysis. The conversion equations were applied to the MDCT data sets of 382 patients (120 women, 262 men) of whom 74 had osteoporotic fractures.

Results

A correlation coefficient of r = 0.84 (P < 0.05) was calculated for BMD_MDCT values of the femoral head and DXA T-scores of the total proximal femur using the conversion equation T-score = 0.021 × BMD_MDCT − 5.90. The correlation coefficient for the femoral neck was r = 0.79 (P < 0.05) with the conversion equation T-score = 0.016 × BMD_MDCT − 4.28. Accordingly, converted T-scores for the femoral neck in patients with versus those without osteoporotic fractures were significantly different (female, −1.83 versus −1.47; male, −1.86 versus −1.47; P < 0.05).

Conclusion

BMD measurements of the proximal femur were computed in routine contrast-enhanced MDCT and converted to DXA T-scores, which adequately differentiated patients with and without osteoporotic fractures.

Key Points

• BMD measurements of the femur could be derived from routine abdominal ceMDCT.

• Derived T-scores could differentiate patients with and without osteoporotic fractures.

• Attenuation measurements in the femur in ceMDCT may predict fracture risk.

     

The long-term performance of DXA bone densitometers

Long-term performance of a bone mass measuring device is an important criterion when considering the purchase of such equipment and has been regarded as an important feature of dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). The performance of a 6-year-old bone densitometer, the Lunar DPX alpha, which has undertaken 1500 scans annually over this period, was assessed. The short-term coefficient of variation calculated from 15 measurements with repositioning on a single day, using the Lunar aluminium phantom, was 0.242%. Long-term precision, also calculated by the coefficient of variation, was 0.548%. The manufacturer's quality control (QC) procedure was performed daily and allowed the machine to be used except on 15 occasions when bone density measurements could be acquired after rebooting. However, a 2.2% shift in phantom values occurred in July 1996 owing to a photomultiplier tube failure, but this did not produce a failure in the Lunar QC. The optical disc drive was replaced in July 1997. The machine failed to back up on six occasions over the last 2 years owing to software corruption and the acquired femur data were not saved on seven occasions owing to overloading of the memory buffer. In conclusion, expected hardware failure and minor software problems have occurred. We were concerned that the manufacturer's QC failed to detect a 2% shift in the phantom bone mineral density values and recommend regular measurements of the Lunar aluminum phantom in addition to the daily QC measurement of the tissue-equivalent block. We were nevertheless impressed by the long-term stability and reproducibility of the Lunar DPX alpha.     

The role of central DXA measurements in the evaluation of bone mineral density

Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) is the most widely used technique in clinical practice to assess changes in bone mineral density (BMD) and to predict fracture risk. Its application to lumbar spine and proximal femur BMD measurements is extremely useful in diagnosing bone mass decrease and implementing therapeutic interventions. As a consequence, its use in clinical practice requires capacity to tailor procedures to individual cases, knowledge to prevent potential sources of error, to provide measurement reproducibility and analysis, and interpretation abilities. Its advantages include the use of low radiation doses, short scan time, high precision and good patient acceptance.     

Anomalies in dual energy X-ray absorptiometry measurements of total-body bone mineral during weight change using Lunar, Hologic and Norland instruments

A previous study showed that measurements of total-body bone mineral changes made with a Hologic QDR 1000W were unreliable when the subjects underwent weight change. The study has been extended to dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) apparatus from other manufacturers. Re-analysis of published results during weight loss using a Lunar DPX showed that they varied with the software used. Using the Extended mode, there was a 1% loss of bone mineral areal density (BMD), but no significant change in bone mineral content (BMC) or bone area (BA) following a weight loss of 16 kg, whereas the use of the Standard mode led to a larger fall of BMC and BMD. Similar findings arose from the consideration of two studies using Norland XR 26 HS absorptiometers. On the other hand, separation of two groups with similar weight changes from the population studied with a Hologic QDR 1000W confirmed that BMC changed directly with weight, but there was an inverse relationship for BMD, owing to an inappropriate change of BA. The use of Hologic Enhanced and Standard software modes led to significant differences in initial readings and measured changes. With each instrument there was a strong correlation between changes in BA and changes in BMC. When 6 kg of lard was wrapped around the limbs of volunteers or a semi-anthropomorphic phantom to simulate weight change, there were spurious increases of measured BMC and BA by about 5% with each instrument. There were no changes of BMD with Lunar, variable results with Norland, but decreases with Hologic. The results observed in vivo could be explained by the effects of fat changes, without there being any real change of bone mineral. Changes of BMD in the skeleton of the phantom were underestimated with all three brands. The anomaly observed with the Hologic QDR 1000W is less apparent with a Lunar DPX or a Norland XR 26, but there are sufficient uncertainties for all total-body measurements during weight change to be treated with suspicion.     

Comparison of an imaging heel quantitative ultrasound device (DTU-one) with densitometric and ultrasonic measurements

The purpose of this study was to evaluate a new imaging ultrasound scanner for the heel, the DTU-one (Osteometer MediTech, Denmark), by comparing quantitative ultrasound (QUS) results with bone mineral density (BMD) of the heel and femur from dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and by comparing the DTU-one with another QUS device, the UBA 575+. The regions of interest in the DXA heel scan were matched with the regions evaluated by the two QUS devices. 134 healthy and 16 osteoporotic women aged 30-84 years old were enrolled in the study. In vivo short-term precision of the DTU-one for broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA) and speed of sound (SOS) was 2.9% and 0.1%, respectively, and long-term precision was 3.8% and 0.2%, respectively. Highest correlations (r) between QUS and BMD measurements were achieved when comparing DTU-one results with BMD in matched regions of the DXA heel scan. Correlation coefficients (r) were 0.81 for BUA and SOS. Highest correlations with the UBA 575+ were 0.68 and 0.72, respectively. The comparison of BMD in different femoral sites with BUA and SOS (DTU-one) varied from 0.62 to 0.69 when including the entire study population. The correlation between BMD values within different sites of the femur tended to be higher (from r = 0.81 to 0.93). When comparing BUA with BUA and SOS with SOS on the two QUS devices, the absolute QUS values differed significantly. However, correlations were relatively high, with 0.76 for BUA and 0.82 for SOS. In conclusion, the results of the new quantitative ultrasound device, the DTU-one, are highly correlated (r = 0.8) with results obtained using the UBA 575+ and with BMD in the heel. The precision of the DTU-one is comparable to other QUS devices for BUA and is high for SOS.     

Dual-photon bone mineral density in the proximal femur: correlation by site

Using 153Gd dualphoton absorptiometry, bone mineral density (BMD) was measured in three areas of the proximal femur-the femoral neck, Ward's triangle and the greater trochanter-in 129 females referred for possible osteoporosis. In addition, lumbar spine bone density was determined. Lumbar spine BMD was significantly greater than any regional proximal femoral BMD (p less than 0.0001). Ward's triangle was significantly less than the trochanteric region (p less than 0.01) and both Ward's triangle and the greater trochanter were significantly less than the femoral neck (p less than 0.0005). Correlations within the three regions of the proximal femur are considerably higher than those between the spine and the proximal femur regions. This suggests that measurement of all three areas of the proximal femur is not essential for a satisfactory assessment of proximal femoral mineral content. In particular, since Ward's triangle is strongly correlated with the greater trochanter and the femoral neck, it may rationally be excluded from analysis of proximal femoral bone density.     

Comparison of dual energy X-ray absorptiometry of the proximal femur with morphologic data.

Measurements of bone mineral density (BMD) of the proximal femur (including femoral neck, Ward's triangle and trochanteric region) were compared with the Singh index grading in 40 normal subjects (20 male, 20 female) and in 116 patients (18 male, 98 female) referred for assessment of possible osteoporosis. Additionally, the BMD and the Singh index of 12 cadaver specimens (6 male, 6 female) of the proximal femur were compared with each other and with the histomorphology of the femoral necks of the specimens. Although there was a good correlation of Singh index with BMD in the group of male patients with suspected osteoporosis and in the series of bone specimens, there was a poor correlation in the group of female patients as well as in the normal controls and in the patient population as a whole. There was also poor correlation of Singh index values with histomorphologic data, whereas the BMD measurements correlated well with the amount of calcified bone found histologically in the femoral necks of the bone specimens. We conclude that the Singh index cannot be used to predict BMD of the proximal femur accurately.     

Influence of anthropometric parameters and bone size on bone mineral density using volumetric quantitative computed tomography and dual X-ray absorptiometry at the hip

PURPOSE: To evaluate the influence of anthropometric parameters (age, height, and weight) and bone size on bone mineral density (BMD) using volumetric quantitative computed tomography (QCT) and dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in a group of elderly women. MATERIAL AND METHODS: BMD values were obtained with DXA and QCT at the spine and hip in a cohort of 84 elderly women (mean age 73 +/- 6 years). QCT measures included trabecular, integral, and cortical BMD assessed at the hip and spine as well as cross-sectional areas of the mid-vertebrae and proximal femora. Spinal integral and femoral neck BMD measures were well matched to the regions of bone quantified on anteroposterior (AP) spine DXA and the femoral neck region of hip DXA. RESULTS: When QCT parameters were linearly regressed against body height and weight, only the relationships with weight were found to be statistically significant. Except for cortical BMD at the femoral neck, all BMD and geometric parameters measured from both DXA and QCT showed statistically significant associations with body weight (r2 = 0.4, 0.0001 < P < 0.02). The strongest associations with weight were found for DXA Neck (DXA_NECK) and DXA lumbar spine (DXA_LSP) (r2 = 0.4, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: The relationship of DXA BMD is stronger than QCT BMD with body weight and it encompasses the response of both bone size and density to increasing body mass.     

Age-predicted values for lumbar spine, proximal femur, and whole-body bone mineral density: results from a population of normal children aged 3 to 18 years.

We measured areal bone mineral density (BMD) with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) at the lumbar spine and the proximal femur and for the total body in 179 subjects (91 girls and 88 boys) with no known disorders that might affect calcium metabolism. Results are also reported for lumbar spine bone mineral content (BMC) and for the derived variable, bone mineral apparent density (BMAD). Expected-for-age values for each variable were derived for boys and girls by using an expression that represented the sum of a steady increase due to growth plus a rapid increase associated with puberty. Normal ranges were derived by assuming that at least 95% of children would be included within 1.96 population standard deviations (SD) of the expected-for-age value. The normal range for lumbar spine BMD derived from our population of children was compared with previously published normal ranges based on results obtained from different bone densitometers in diverse geographic locations. The extent of agreement between the various normal ranges indicates that the derived expressions can be used for reporting routine spine, femur, and whole-body BMD measurements in children and adolescents. The greatest difference in expected-for-age values among the various studies was that arising from intermanufacturer variability. The application of published conversion factors derived from DXA measurements in adults did not account fully for these differences, especially in younger children.     

Diagnostic agreement of quantitative sonography of the calcaneus with dual X-ray absorptiometry of the spine and femur.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to evaluate the diagnostic agreement between quantitative sonography of the calcaneus and dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) of the spine and femur for revealing osteoporosis. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In 1252 patients (795 women, 54.9+/-15 years old; 457 men, 50.5+/-15 years old [mean+/-SD]), bone mineral density measurements of the lumbar spine (posteroanterior, L1-L4) and the proximal femur (neck, trochanter, intertrochanteric region, total proximal femur, and Ward's triangle) and quantitative sonographic measurements of the stiffness of the calcaneus were performed. The presence of osteoporosis is defined, according to the World Health Organization criteria, as a T-score lower than -2.5. The percentage of patients below the threshold (prevalence of osteoporosis) was calculated for each imaging technique. The diagnostic agreement in identifying individuals as osteoporotic was assessed using kappa scores. RESULTS: Forty-nine percent of the women and 42% of the men were classified as osteoporotic by quantitative sonography, 32% of women and 30% of men by DXA of the spine, and 23-54% of women and 16-54% of men by the different regions of interest revealed on femoral DXA. Kappa analysis showed the diagnostic agreement among these measures to be generally poor (kappa = .28-.41 [women] and .25-.45 [men]). CONCLUSION: The considerable diagnostic disagreement between quantitative sonography and DXA could cause confusion in the daily practice of radiology and make establishing the correct diagnosis a difficult task. The choice of imaging technique influences which patients are diagnosed as osteoporotic.     

The effect of region of interest selection on dual energy X-ray absorptiometry measurements of the calcaneus in 55 post-menopausal women

Bone mineral density (BMD) of the calcaneus was assessed by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in four different regions of the calcaneus in 20 pre-menopausal and 55 post-menopausal women, none of whom were on treatment or suffering from conditions affecting bone. The total body option in the small animal software package of a Lunar DPX-L bone densitometer was used. The precision of the technique (%CV) varied from 0.7 to 2.2% depending on the region scanned. For post-menopausal women, BMD results in the mid and posterior parts of the calcaneus varied by < 7% while BMD in the anterior region was about 20% lower. DXA of the calcaneus was compared with measurements at the spine (L2-L4) and hip (femoral neck) and changes with age were estimated from cross-sectional data. BMD of the calcaneus was significantly reduced in 28 post-menopausal women with low lumbar spine BMD (-2SD) compared with women with normal spine BMD. Calcaneal BMD was significantly correlated to axial BMD (r = 0.45-0.77) and to age (r = 0.45 to -0.63). For a subgroup of 33 post-menopausal women measured twice after approximately 1 year, calcaneus BMD decreased by between 1.2% and 2.5% while axial BMD showed no significant change. Unlike spine or femoral neck BMD, the decrease in calcaneus BMD was significantly greater in women with low spine BMD than in normal women, possibly indicating improved detection of skeletal changes. The optimum measurement sites for BMD in the calcaneus were within the mid or posterior part of the calcaneus or enclosing the whole posterior calcaneus. The calcaneus was shown to be a precise, sensitive and simple measurement site suitable for the assessment of osteoporosis, especially in the elderly where degenerative changes in the spine and hip can complicate BMD assessment.     

Development of a phantom for morphometric X-ray absorptiometry

Morphometric X-ray absorptiometry (MXA) has recently been developed to assess vertebral deformity status using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) machines. In contrast to bone densitometry, a vertebral morphometry phantom is not supplied by any machine manufacturer. The aim of this study was to develop a suitable phantom to quantify the accuracy and precision of the vertebral measurement software on three DXA scanners in vitro and to perform a weekly quality control (QC) scan over a 30-month period to evaluate any drift or changes in measurement accuracy over time. The phantom was constructed from Perspex and aluminium to simulate soft tissue and bone, respectively. 13 aluminium rectangles (each 30 mm wide, 25 mm high and 3 mm thick, with edges ("endplates") 6 mm thick) were set into one side of a solid Perspex block to represent the vertebral bodies from the fourth thoracic (T4) to the fourth lumbar (L4). The phantom was scanned on both the Hologic QDR2000plus and the QDR-4500A as well as the Lunar Expert-XL. Three consecutive lateral MXA scans were acquired on the Hologic machines using each of the scan modes available. On the QDR-2000plus, the lateral scan modes available are fast, array and high definition, which are all dual energy modes. These three scan modes are also available on the QDR-4500A, with the addition of a single energy scan mode. Four lateral scans were acquired on the Expert-XL machine using the single scan mode available. Each MXA scan was analysed twice by a trained operator using the standard software supplied by each manufacturer. A QC scan was performed approximately weekly over a 30-month period on only the QDR-4500A machine, and total phantom height was measured from the inferior edge of L4 to the superior edge of T4. Accuracy of "vertebral" height measurement varied between the three DXA machines and between the scan modes available. All underestimated "true" vertebral height by between 0.4% and 8.6%, with the scan modes using finer collimation producing the most accurate results. Repeat analysis precision of vertebral height measurement was best on the QDR-4500A, followed by the Expert-XL, and was poorest on the QDR-2000plus. The QC scans acquired on the QDR-4500A suggested that it was a highly stable machine, little affected by even major repairs. It must be remembered that these in vitro phantom results may not be representative of the true in vivo situation. The MXA phantom appears to be a useful tool for documenting the stability of the mechanical instruments and for checking the long-term consistency of operator precision.     

A physical model for dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry--derived bone mineral density

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA)-derived areal bone mineral density (BMD) is an established predictor of osteoporotic fractures and reflects bone strength as well. The goal of this study was to develop and validate a physical model for appropriate interpretation of BMD. METHODS: DXA and peripheral quantitative computed tomography investigations of the distal tibia (n = 45), proximal tibia (n = 12), distal femur (n = 26), and distal radius (n = 34) were carried out. The DXA-derived BMD was analytically modeled as a nonlinear function of volumetric bone mineral apparent density and the cross-sectional area (eCSA) of given bone; ie, BMD(mod) = apparent BMD x square root of eCSA. RESULTS: At every measured skeletal site, the relationship between BMD and BMD(mod) was systematically stronger than that observed separately between BMD and apparent BMD or cross-sectional area. The models (r2) explained 85%, 94%, 87%, and 74% of the variability in BMD at the distal tibia, proximal tibia, distal femur, and distal radius, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The mutual contributions of bone density and size to BMD can vary to some extent in a site-dependent fashion. This dual nature of BMD on one hand provides a reasonable mechanical explanation for why BMD is a good surrogate of bone strength and a predictor of osteoporotic fractures but on the other hand, complicates its detailed interpretation.