title: Fractal dimension predicts broadband ultrasound attenuation in stereolithography models of cancellous bone.
abstract: There has been considerable debate on the relative dependence of broadband ultrasound attenuation (nBUA, dB MHz(-1) cm(-1)) upon the density and structure of cancellous bone. A nonlinear relationship between nBUA and porosity has recently been demonstrated using stereolithography models, indicating a high structural dependence for nBUA. We report here on the measurement of trabecular perimeter and fractal dimension on the two-dimensional images used to create the stereolithography models. Adjusted coefficients of determination (R2) with nBUA were 94.4% (p < 0.0001) and 98.4% (p < 0.0001) for trabecular perimeter and fractal dimension respectively. The feature of fractal dimension representing both the porosity and connectivity of a given structure is most exciting. Further work is required to determine the relationship between broadband ultrasound attenuation and fractal dimension in complex three-dimensional cancellous bone structures.
authors.affiliation: University of Hull, UK.
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Langton
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Whitehead
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Haire
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hodgskinson
mesh_terms: D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D017076:Computer-Aided Design; D017709:Fractals; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008954:Models, Biological; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods*