title: Gamma-ray backscatter for body composition measurement.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine the potential of using backscatter information to assess regional body composition at selected sites. Two measurement techniques are examined: the measurement of the ratio of coherent to Compton scatter, and the measurement of the Compton scatter profile. Two possible applications are considered: the measurement of trabecular bone mineral density, and the measurement of the average fat/muscle ratio in a tissue volume. The results presented indicate that the analysis of coherent and Compton backscattered gamma-ray spectra from an 241Am source has the potential for measuring both trabecular bone mineral density and average fat/muscle ratio in a tissue volume, with a low absorbed dose to the subject.
authors.affiliation: Medical Physics Department, Royal United Hospital, Combe Park, Bath, U.K.
authors.forename: H M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Morgan
authors.forename: J T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Shakeshaft
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Lillicrap
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D000576:Americium; D000886:Anthropometry / Q000379:methods; D001823:Body Composition; D015519:Bone Density; D005720:Gamma Rays; D006801:Humans; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D012542:Scattering, Radiation
chemical_list: D000576:Americium