Assessment of bone architecture with ultrasonometry: Experimental and clinical experience

Over the last decade, ultrasound technology has been introduced as a method of analysing bone tissue in clinical practice, and several studies have co mpared various ultrasound devices with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DX A). Unlike DXA, the ultrasound technique is not limited to the measurement of bone density - it also has the potential to provide information on the m echanical and architectural characteristics of bone. The first generation o f ultrasound devices used the speed of sound and attenuation of the ultraso und signal to obtain information on bone mineral content. Second generation ultrasound devices, which analyse the ultrasound signal received, permit t he study of bone structure and elasticity, in addition to its mineral conte nt, in both experimental studies and clinical practice. This is accomplishe d by signal processing analysis, the study of backscattering and the applic ation of Blot's theory. This approach to the study of bone tissue represent s the future for the development of ultrasound technology for use in clinic al practice. Copyright (C)2000 S. Karger AG. Basel.