title: Utility of the cortical thickness of the distal radius as a predictor of distal-radius bone density.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Bone density is an important factor in the management of fractures of the distal radius.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to establish whether standard anteroposterior (AP) radiographs would provide the attending physician with a prediction of bone density.
  
  
  METHODS
  Six pairs of human cadaveric radii were harvested. The mean donor age was 74 years. Standardized AP radiographs were taken of the radii. The outside diameter and the inside diameter of the cortical shell at the metaphyseal / diaphyseal junction were measured and their ratio was calculated. Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was used to obtain the bone mineral density (BMD) of the distal parts of the radii. The correlation of the BMD values with these ratios was studied.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean BMD was 0.559 (SD = 0.236) g / cm(2). The mean outside diameter/inside diameter ratio was 1.24 (SD = 0.013); the ratio significantly correlated with the total BMD (P = 0.001; R(2) = 0.710). In the BMD subregions, the correlation was also significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The outside diameter/inside diameter ratio at the metaphyseal/diaphyseal junction of the distal radius on AP radiographs is suitable for use as a predictor of distal-radius bone density. Further studies should be performed, and clinical utility evaluated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Traumatology, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Jena, Germany.
authors.forename: Sascha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rausch
authors.affiliation: Department of Traumatology, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Jena, Germany.
authors.forename: Kajetan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Klos
authors.affiliation: Department of Traumatology, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Jena, Germany.
authors.forename: Florian
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gras
authors.affiliation: Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen, Bern, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Hristo Kostov
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Skulev
authors.affiliation: Technical University of Varna, Varna, Bulgaria.
authors.forename: Albrecht
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Popp
authors.affiliation: Department of Traumatology, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Jena, Germany.
authors.forename: Gunther Olaf
authors.initials: GO
authors.lastname: Hofmann
authors.affiliation: Department of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Surgery Helios Klinikum Erfurt, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mückley
keywords: Bone Density; Bone Fractures; Cortical Thickness; Distal Radius