Accuracy of bone mineral data.

The reliability of data obtained from the Norland-Cameron Bone Mineral Analyzer has been questioned and the possibility of an inherent calibration error in the machine has been raised. To make an absolute measurement of the instrumental accuracy, bone mineral content measured by the bone mineral analyzer was compared with an absolute value obtained by the ashing method. The instrument bone mineral content values were found to be higher by about 6.5%. The ash content (%), bone mineral density, and compact bone density in these same bone samples were 62.9%, 1.346 g/cm3, and 2.140 g/cm3, respectively, as determined by direct measurement.