[Biphotonic absorptiometry of the foot: methodology and application to algodystrophy].

A simple methodology for the evaluation of the bone mineral content of the foot by biphotonic absorptiometry is described. From the study of a test population, a pathological demineralization threshold of 10%, given that the measurement is expressed in g, has been defined at the level of the forepart of the tarsus. This threshold enables the significant distinction between the test population and a population with algodystrophy. Biphotonic absorptiometry seems to provide a quantitative diagnostic argument to complement the radiographical and scintigraphical examinations.