Comparison between metacarpal bone measurements by computarized radiogrammetry and total body DEXA in normal and osteoporotic women

• Published in: Clinical rheumatology Vol. 13; no. 4; p. 593
• Main Authors: Rico, H, Revilla, M, Villa, L F, Martin-Santos, J F, Cardenas, J L, Fraile, E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany 01.12.1994
• Subjects: Absorptiometry, Photon; Aged; Analysis of Variance; Bone Density; Bone Matrix - diagnostic imaging; Bone Matrix - pathology; Female; Humans; Linear Models; Metacarpus - diagnostic imaging; Metacarpus - pathology; Middle Aged; Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal - diagnostic imaging; Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal - pathology; Radiographic Image Enhancement; Reference Values
• ISSN: 0770-3198
• DOI: 10.1007/BF02243000

We evaluated the precision of metacarpal radiogrammetry by computed radiography as a technique for bone mass measurement. Measurements obtained using this method were compared with densitometric measurements of total body bone mass using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Our results showed that the coefficients of variation for radiogrammetric measurements were similar in 60 women with osteoporosis and in 100 normal women: 0.7% in both groups for external diameter of the second metacarpal, 2.41% in the normal women and 2.03% in the women with osteoporosis for internal diameter, and 2.3% and 2.4%, respectively, for cortical thickness. Except for external metacarpal diameter, which did not differ between normal and osteoporotic women, all the measurements were smaller in the women with osteoporosis (p < 0.001). The correlation between metacarpal cortical thickness and total body bone mineral content was r2 = 0.462 in the women with osteoporosis, r2 = 0.476 in the controls, and r2 = 0.522 in the two groups combined (all p < 0.001). There was a significant correlation (p < 0.001) between cortical thickness and densitometric metacarpal measurements of both the diaphysis and epiphysis. These results confirm the value of radiogrammetry as a technique for quantitating bone mass under normal and pathological conditions. Additional advantages of the method are minimal radiation dose delivered, possibility for storing the image and data, and technical facility.