title: Broadband ultrasonic attenuation in the os calcis and single photon absorptiometry in the distal forearm: a comparative study.
abstract: The measurement of broadband ultrasonic attenuation (BUA) in the os calcis has been described recently but the method has not been compared with other non-invasive techniques for the assessment of bone mass. We have compared the measurement of BUA in the os calcis with single-photon absorptiometry of the distal forearm in 44 subjects. A highly significant positive correlation was found between these two measurements (r = 0.80, p less than 0.001). Day to day repeatability was assessed for both techniques, with coefficients of variation of 3.9% and 1.4%, respectively, being obtained. Broadband ultrasonic attenuation appears to be a potentially useful bone measurement in the appendicular skeleton.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000032:analysis / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002111:Calcaneus / Q000032:analysis / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D005260:Female; D005542:Forearm; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008903:Minerals / Q000032:analysis*; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D014465:Ultrasonics
chemical_list: D008903:Minerals