title: Bone radiogrametry: caliper versus magnifying glass.
abstract: Radiogrametry was done on 100 hands by two observers using two methods: (1) caliper and (2) magnifying glass measurement. At the mid-point of the second metacarpal, the total width (D) and medullary width (d) were measured and cortical thickness (C) was calculated from the difference (D-d). Statistical analysis disclosed that the intra-observer CV is smaller for both observers using the magnifying glass than with the caliper (1.9 and 2.1% vs. 2.8 and 4.3%, respectively). The inter-observer CV is also less with the magnifying glass (4.2 and 5.7% vs. 6.2 and 6.9%, respectively). Although measurements made with each method correlate significantly, the values (mean +/- SD) obtained in isolated measurements using each method differ significantly, with C for both observers, as well as the intra-observer coefficient of variation (CV), being smaller. These results, which demonstrated different bone mass values as quantitated using a caliper or magnifying glass, indicate the greater reliability and precision of the latter method.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, Universidad de Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Rico
authors.forename: E R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Hernandez
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015519:Bone Density; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D013679:Technology, Radiologic / Q000295:instrumentation*