title: In vivo measurements of ultrasound transmission through the human proximal femur.
abstract: Quantitative ultrasound (QUS) measurements can be used to estimate osteoporotic fracture risk. The commonly used variables are the speed of sound (SOS) and the frequency dependent sound attenuation (broadband ultrasound attenuation, [BUA]) of a wave propagating through the bone, preferably the calcaneus. The technology, so far, is less suitable for direct measurement in vivo at the spine or the femur for prediction of bone mineral density (BMD) or fracture risk at the main osteoporotic fracture sites. To improve the clinical performance of QUS, we built a device for direct QUS measurements at the human femur in vivo. In vivo images of ultrasound transmission at one of the main fracture sites, the proximal femur, could be acquired. The estimated precision of SOS measurements of 0.5% achieved at the femur is comparable with the precision of peripheral QUS devices.
authors.affiliation: Medizinische Physik, Diagnostische Radiologie, Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany. barkmann@rad.uni-kiel.de
authors.forename: Reinhard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Barkmann
authors.forename: Pascal
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Laugier
authors.forename: Urs
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Moser
authors.forename: Stefanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dencks
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Klausner
authors.forename: Frédéric
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Padilla
authors.forename: Guillaume
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Haiat
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Heller
authors.forename: Claus-C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Glüer
mesh_terms: D015519:Bone Density; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005269:Femur / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006620:Hip Fractures / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014159:Transducers; D014463:Ultrasonography