title: Computed tomography-osteoabsorptiometry for assessing the density distribution of subchondral bone as a measure of long-term mechanical adaptation in individual joints.
abstract: To estimate subchondral mineralisation patterns which represent the long-term loading history of individual joints, a method has been developed employing computed tomography (CT) which permits repeated examination of living joints. The method was tested on 5 knee, 3 sacroiliac, 3 ankle and 5 shoulder joints and then investigated with X-ray densitometry. A CT absorptiometric presentation and maps of the area distribution of the subchondral bone density areas were derived using an image analyser. Comparison of the results from both X-ray densitometry and CT-absorptiometry revealed almost identical pictures of distribution of the subchondral bone density. The method may be used to examine subchondral mineralisation as a measure of the mechanical adaptability of joints in the living subject.
authors.affiliation: Anatomische Anstalt München, Universität Freiburg, Federal Republic of Germany.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Müller-Gerbl
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Putz
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hodapp
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Schulte
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wimmer
mesh_terms: D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon / Q000379:methods*; D001175:Arthrography / Q000379:methods; D015519:Bone Density; D006801:Humans; D007596:Joints / Q000378:metabolism*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012984:Software; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*