Accuracy of vertebral mineral determination by dual-energy quantitative computed tomography.

Quantitative computed tomography is an established method for the non-invasive assessment of bone mineral content. Scanning with two different X-ray energies allows material-selective image reconstruction and separation on the basis of differing atomic numbers. As proven by chemophysical analysis of 45 bone samples, dual-energy quantitative computed tomography with basis material decomposition allows highly accurate measurement of bone mineral density with an error of 1.4%, independent of fat and soft tissue content.