Ultrasound images of the os calcis: a new method of assessment of bone status

Abstract

A complete assessment of the broadband ultrasonic attenuation (BUA) and speed of sound (SOS) distributions within the os calcis was made, using an ultrasonic mechanical scanning device with focused transducers. Measurements were performed on 12 os calces removed from fresh female cadavers. To date, we present the first parametric ultrasonic images of the os calcis. Reasonably high quality images were obtained when compared to computed tomography. The resolution provided by the focused transducers was approximately 4 or 5 mm in the focal zone. As for dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) or quantitative computed tomography, ultrasound images of the os calcis give the possibility of controlling the placement, size and shape of the region of interest and using multiple measurement sites