Quantitative Analysis of Bone Density on Roentgenography in Korean

You, Jae Won; Ha, Snag Ho; Park, Chan Jae

Abstract

The bone is the dynamic living tissue which is always maintained bone mineral content by bone resorption and formation. It has been well known that the bone mineral content is decreased very slowly with aging. It is very difficult to diagnose the osteopenia because it is almost subclinical. Another important problem in the osteopenia is the fracture occurring spontaneously. The quantitative method of bone mineral mass provide an information to diagnose the osteopenia and predict the risk of spontaneous fracture. Various methods have been used to access the degree of bone atrophy but have not been routinely available for clinical application in the hospital. The microdensitometric method is a noninvasive, easy, accurate, and objective one to monitor the degree of changes in the skeletal mass quantitatively. So, we measured the 7 indices at the middle site of the 2nd metacarpal bone with a microdensitometer and computer on an X-ray film of the hands and studied the correlations between the age and indices of those under 30 and over 30 yrs old in healthy and fracture groups. The results were obtained as follows : 1. There was a significant high correlation between age and indices in healthy and fracture groups. 2. The measurement of age by microdensitometric method was highly correlated with the chronological age. 3. Comparing both groups, There was a significant correlation of D (P<0.001), MCI(P<0.01), and d (P<0.01) over 30 yrs in male and GSmin (P<0.001) and Î£GS/D (P<0.01) over 30 yrs in female. 4. In fracture group, 1) The index of bone width(D) was slightly larger than in the healthy group. 2) The metacarpal index(MCI) was lower than in the healthy group. 3) The index of medulla width(d) was wider than in the healthy group. 4) The density index of cortex(GSmax) was smaller than in the healthy group. 5) The density index of cortex and medulla(GSmin) was smaller than in the healthy group. 6) There was no considerable difference in Î£GS/D between healthy and fracture groups. 7) The densitometric pattern was more aggrevated than in the healthy group.