title: Accuracy of dual-energy radiographic absorptiometry of the lumbar spine: cadaver study.
abstract: Dual-energy radiographic absorptiometry (DRA) was used to measure the bone mineral content and area density of lumbar vertebrae (L2-L3) in 11 cadavers. These data were subsequently compared with measured ash content and density. Excellent correlation was obtained between bone mineral content measured with DRA and ash weight (r = .963, P less than .0001). The accuracy error in determining mineral content in lumbar vertebrae with DRA was about 9%. In addition, strong correlation was observed between bone mineral density measured with DRA and ash density (r = .881, P less than .0001).
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of California, San Diego.
authors.forename: C P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Schaffler
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Sartoris
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015519:Bone Density; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015900:Radiography, Dual-Energy Scanned Projection