DIAGNOSTIC ACCURACY OF A NOVEL ULTRASOUND-BASED METHODOLOGY FOR SPINAL DENSITOMETRY ON A COHORT OF NORMAL- AND UNDER-WEIGHT WOMEN |
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| M. D. Renna, F. Conversano, P. Pisani, E. Casciaro, L. Quarta, D. Costanza, M. Muratore, S. Casciaro |
- Abstract:
- Currently, osteoporosis is mainly diagnosed through dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). However, DXA cannot be used for early diagnoses through population mass screenings because of issues related to ionizing radiation employment. This paper describes the diagnostic accuracy of a novel ultrasound (US)-based method to perform spinal densitometry without employing X-rays. The proposed innovative methodology is based on a combined analysis of both echographic images and “raw” radiofrequency US signals. The diagnostic output is represented by the same parameters of DXA (bone mineral density (BMD), T-score, Z-score). The actual effectiveness of the proposed methodology was evaluated on a cohort of 350 normal-weight or underweight (body mass index (BMI) < 25 kg/m²) female patients in the age range 45-65 years by a direct comparison with DXA assumed as gold standard. The accuracy of US-based diagnoses ranged from a maximum of 90.5% to a minimum of 74.1%, corresponding to the youngest and oldest patient age category, respectively, with an average of 84.9%. A good correlation was also found between US-estimated BMD and DXA related values (r = 0.69, p < 0.001). Obtained results demonstrated the high accuracy of the proposed US approach to spinal bone densitometry compared with DXA. This technique has the potential to become a useful and effective tool in clinical practice improving the current approach to osteoporosis diagnosis.
- Keywords:
- ultrasound, spinal bone densitometry, X-rays, osteoporosis, early diagnosis
- Download:
- IMEKO-TC13-2014-08.pdf
- DOI:
- -
- Event details
- IMEKO TC:
- TC13
- Event name:
- New Frontiers in Biomedical Measurements
- Title:
3rd IMEKO TC13 Symposium
- Place:
- Lecce, ITALY
- Time:
- 17 April 2014 - 18 April 2014