[Value of techniques of measurement of bone. Radiological methods and contribution of ultrasonics].

The current interest in bone mineral density measurements is related to the frequency, the morbidity and the cost of osteoporosis, which is considered to be a public health problem in developed countries. The main risk factor of osteoporotic fractures is the reduction of bone mineral density. This risk factor can be prevented by hormonal therapy in post-menopausal women. So it is of interest to develop the bone mineral density measurement methods, in osteoporotic bone areas or the entire skeleton (absorptiometry). But the interpretation of the result in term of individual fracture risk, the choice of the bone site to be examined, and the indication of the measurement are still being discussed. A new method of bone status evaluation is currently available: the broad band ultrasonic attenuation, which measures the attenuation of ultrasounds through the calcaneus bone. The device is portable, inexpensive and radiation free, and may give quantitative and qualitative assessment of bone. However, the normal values, the relation with the absorptiometry results and the contribution of this method in fracture risk evaluation are currently studied. Osteoporosis risk evaluation is an important point of health management in post-menopausal women and elderly people. Large prospective studies with the different methods are in progress.