In vivo cortical parameter measurement at the one-third distal radius using HR-pQCT and ultrasonic axial transmission

摘要

Osteoporosis is a skeletal disease leading to bone fragility and increasing the risk of fractures. Current clinical gold standard, Dual- energy X-ray Absorptiometry, is limited by its projection technique and poor spatial resolution. High Resolution-peripheral Quantitative Computed Tomography (HRpQCT) is able to provide estimates of cortical thickness (Ct.Th) and volumetric bone mineral density (Ct.vBMD) highly correlated to cortical porosity (Ct.Po). Recent studies showed that measurement ultrasonic guided waves can provide estimates of Ct.Th and Ct.Po using axial transmission (AT). The aim of this study is to compare AT parameters, (Ct.Th, Ct.Po) with HR-pQCT measurements (Ct.Th, Ct.vBMD) performed at the site-matched (one-third distal) and conventional (distal) radius locations.