Three quantitative ultrasound parameters reflect bone structure

Abstract

We investigated whether quantitative ultrasound (QUS) parameters are associated with bone structure. In an in vitro study on 20 cubes of trabecular bone, we measured broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA) and two newly defined parameters--ultrasound velocity through bone (UVB) and ultrasound attenuation in bone (UAB). Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured by dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and bone structure was assessed by microcomputed tomography (microCT) with approximately 80 microns spatial resolution. We found all three QUS parameters to be significantly associated with bone structure independently of BMD. UVB was largely influenced by trabecular separation, UAB by connectivity, and BUA by a combination of both. For a one standard deviation (SD) increase in UVB, a decrease in trabecular separation of 1.2 SD was required compared with a 1.4 SD increase in BMD for the same effect. A 1.0 SD increase in UAB required a reduction in connectivity of 1.4 SD. Multivariate models of QUS versus BMD combined with bone structure parameters showed squared correlation coefficients of r2 = 0.70-0.85 for UVB, r2 = 0.27-0.56 for UAB, and r2 = 0.30-0.68 for BUA compared with r2 = 0.18-0.58 for UVB, r2 < 0.26 for UAB and r2 < 0.13 for BUA for models including BMD alone. QUS thus reflects bone structure, and a combined analysis of QUS and BMD will allow for a more comprehensive assessment of skeletal status than either method alone.

Méthodes non invasives de mesure de la densité minérale osseuse

“…De nombreux travaux expérimentaux ont montré que les ultrasons pouvaient mesurer certains paramètres de la qualité de l'os, en particulier son élasticité. L'atténuation des ultrasons est dépendante de l'orientation des travées osseuses, donc de l'anisotropie [3]. Ces résultats sont obtenus lors de mesures pluridirectionnelles ex vivo.…”

Reduced Bone Mineralization in Adolescent Survivors of Malignant Bone Tumors: Comparison of Quantitative Ultrasound and Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry

“…The advantage of this method is that it can give information about the elastic quality of bone. This is an important quality since the risk of fractures depends not only on bone density but also on the elasticity of bone and its microarchitecture (21). Ultrasound has many other advantages compared with DEXA; there is less influence from both bone and body size, and it has a high reproducibility, with a low coefficient of variation (19).…”

Quantitative ultrasound and bone health

“…It contains approximately 90% trabecular bone, which has a high metabolic turnover rate and a pattern of bone loss similar to the spine. 2,3 The majority of subsequent ultrasound systems have been based upon this prototype, although dry systems which use ultrasound gel as a coupling medium instead of water have also been introduced. Much of the research done into QUS has therefore been performed using ultrasound measurements of the calcaneus.…”

“…11,12 What QUS measures A number of authors have investigated the ability of QUS to measure the density and micro-architectural properties of bone. 3,[13][14][15][16][17][18] Results from in-vitro studies in bovine bone have found the ultrasound derived modulus of elasticity correlates strongly with values of bone breaking strength derived from static loading. [19][20][21] A number of studies have reported QUS parameters to be significantly associated with bone structure independently of BMD.…”

“…[19][20][21] A number of studies have reported QUS parameters to be significantly associated with bone structure independently of BMD. 3,[16][17][18]20 Whilst Mehta et al reported ultrasound velocity and elasticity to be strongly connected with material elasticity as measured by mechanical testing. 14 Broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA) values have been reported to be dependent upon trabecular orientation in vitro.…”