Fracture Risk Assessment by Quantitative Ultrasound

Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry of the femoral neck is accepted by the World Health Organization as the only method for determining bone density. Quantitative ultrasound is an alternative method for non-invasive assessment of the skeletal status that reflects the estimated bone mineral density. In the present monograph data from various studies including and ours screening studies for osteoporosis shall be presented. To explain the nature of bone ultrasound osteometry bone structure and properties its ultrasound characterization ultrasound indicators ultrasound osteometer and various models of devices as well as the T-score shall be briefly discussed. Finally an algorithm for ultrasound screening of osteoporosis shall be proposed.