MEASUREMENT OF REGIONAL BONE-MINERAL DENSITY - A NEW TECHNIQUE FOR THE EVALUATION OF THE TEMPORAL BONE

The measurement of regional bone mineral density (rBMD) is a new metho d of evaluation of the human temporal bone in vitro or in vivo. Modifi ed computed tomography (CT) enables us to collect a three-dimensional array of precise, reproducible bone density values, as well as high-qu ality CT images. Measurements are calibrated using phantoms of known c omposition and density. Conventional CT provides density information t hat is relative, qualitative, and lacks precise reproducibility over t ime. The rBMD technique provides precise numeric density measurements. Additional image processing capabilities are described. In vivo data from six normal temporal bones and from two patients with Paget's dise ase involving the temporal bone are presented to demonstrate the techn ique.