Roentgendensitometric study of the phalanx.

This is an outline of a radiologic assessment of bone mineral measurements for diagnosis that is simple and low in cost. Bone mineral content equivalent values (BMCE) were determined of phalanges. Since phalanges have different dimensions the BMCE values per square millimeter surface area, bone mean mineral equivalent values (BMME) were determined. In normal subjects it was shown that over a period of 9 months a coefficient of variation for BMCE and BMME was found of 8 and 9%, respectively, indicating a change during the investigation period (precision of the technique has a CV for BMCE of 4% and for BMME of 3%). The clinical application of microdensitometry and of the single photon absorption method was tested and compared. Both methods resulted in similar findings, microdensitometry however also provides a qualitative assessment of bone characteristics.