Hand bone segmentation in radioabsorptiometry images for computerised bone mass assessment.

From hand radiographs, the measurement of the bone density of hand bones is automatically performed, using units relative to an aluminium wedge, in order to know the absorption of the ray light intensity respect to a known substance. By means of a point distribution model, the variation modes of a statistical model of the phalanx are determined, and the boundaries of such bones localised, aiming to obtain their average grey level. The goal is to obtain an accurate and reliable computerised radiographic X-ray absorptiometry system for automatic bone mass assessment that can be easily applied to the population. The developed system has been tested and compared to other known methods with a high level of correlation.