F. Fidouh et al., Long-term reproducibility optimization of an x-ray process for bone architectural evaluation during osteoporosis, PHYS MED BI, 44(1), 1999, pp. N1-N8
Non-invasive and in vivo assessment of bone architectural changes at high r
esolution is of considerable interest in osteoporosis. In this note, the us
e of an x-ray acquisition system in the evaluation of the architectural qua
lity of trabecular bone by radiographic texture analysis is optimized to ac
hieve good long-term reproducibility. First, radiographic and digitization
processes are modelled and defined. Procedures to make radiographs and thei
r digital images are fixed. Then, measurements of the modulation transfer f
unction (MTF) of the entire acquisition chain were completed. These measure
ments provide an MTF in excess of 30% at a spatial frequency of 2.5 lp/mm.
Also, results of a fractal texture analysis made on digital images of calca
neus radiographs show a mean coefficient of variation of 2.07%. These data
show that good long-term reproducibility can make the x-ray acquisition sys
tem efficient for patient follow-up, or evaluation of treatment regimes for
osteoporosis. Finally, it is shown that fractal texture parameters are sta
tistically different in an osteoporotic population and in a control group.
Therefore, this system should also be of medical interest.