[Evaluation of the accuracy of calcaneus bone tissue findings by a contact ultrasound system. Comparison with the most used absorptiometry methods].
BACKGROUND
Ultrasound measurements of bone include Broadband Ultrasound Attenuation (BUA) and Speed Of Sound (SOS) through a skeletal segment. These techniques do not expose patients to ionizing radiations. Aim of the present study was to evaluate reproducibility, specificity, sensibility and accuracy of these measurements as compared with those obtained by absorptiometric devices at the distal radius and lumbar spine (L2-L4).


METHODS
Mean c.v. for repeated measurements on the same subjects was 2.7% for BUA and 0.9 for SOS. Both BUA and SOS were able to separate young normal from healthy post-menopausal subjects and patients with recent vertebral osteoporotic fractures as well as absorptiometric techniques.


RESULTS
All compared methods of bone measurements showed non statistically significant differences for what concerns sensibility, specificity and accuracy.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude by affirming that both BUA and SOS measurements at the os calcis with the contact ultrasound analyzer CUBA may represent safe and available methods for routinary assessment of skeletal health. The contact device allows more rapid measurements than other US devices the use of whom is conditioned by the immersion of the foot in a water bath; furthermore the CUBA system detects BUA and SOS in the mid os calcis: at this level bone density resulted more homogeneous than in other regions of the same bone.
Morbidelli
C
C
Centro Reumatologico per le Osteoartropatie Senili, INRCA, Ancona.
Spazzafumo
L
L
De Tommaso
G
G
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D015519:Bone Density; D002111:Calcaneus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D017698:Postmenopause; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014463:Ultrasonography