Fractal analysis of bone X-ray tomographic microscopy projections

Fractal analysis of bone X-ray images has received much interest recently f or the diagnosis of bone disease. In this paper, we propose a fractal analy sis of bone X-ray tomographic microscopy (XTM) projections. The aim of the study is to establish whether or not there is a correlation between three-d imensional (3-D) trabecular changes and two-dimensional (2-D) fractal descr iptors, Using a highly collimated beam, 3-D bone X-ray tomographic images w ere obtained. Trabecular bone loss was simulated using a mathematical morph ology method. Then, 2-D projections were generated in each of the three ort hogonal directions, Finally, the model of fractional Brownian motion (fBm) was used on bone XTM 2-D projections to characterize changes in bone struct ure that occur during disease, such a simulation of bone loss. Results indi cate that fBm is a robust texture model allowing quantification of simulati ons of trabecular bone changes.