Bone densitometry using computed tomography. Part I: selective determination of trabecular bone density and other bone mineral parameters. Normal values in children and adults.

Gamma-ray computed tomography (gamma-ray CT), using a special purpose scanner, enables in-vivo quantitative analysis of bone mineralization. Trabecular bone density (TBD), the relative amount of compact bone (bone density, BD) and the total absorption (TA) for a cross-section of the radius are determined from measurements of local linear absorption coefficients. A preliminary study of normal children (n = 49) and adults (n = 34) indicated that TBD is independent of age and sex in the age range 4 to 40 years. DB remains constant throughout childhood but increases after puberty in both women and men. TA is higher for adults than for children, and also higher for men than for women. A correlation between TA and parameters relating to body size indicates a relationship between body weight and bone mass.