This site will also host a quarterly update of the related literature, free of charge.

Click here to review the 1999 publications

Quantitative ultrasound (QUS) assessment of bone has been scientifically validated both in terms of fundamental in-vitro and clinical in-vivo studies. We know that ultrasound velocity is related to the elasticity and density of cancellous bone. Ultrasound attenuation is related to the density and structure of cancellous bone, noting that as the structural variability decreases,  the relationship between attenuation and density increases. Clinical studies have shown that QUS parameters are sensitive to age-related changes; may discriminate osteoporotic subjects; and exhibit a prospective fracture risk prediction comparable to axial DXA. Normative data have been defined for several devices.

QUS offers the potential to serve 2 major clinical roles: to predict fracture risk independent of established bone densitometry; or to be a case-finding referral tool for subsequent conventional densitometry. The performance criteria for these two are quite dissimilar. The first is based upon prospective indication of fracture risk, the second is based upon sensitivity and specificity to discriminate subjects as defined by bone densitometry derived T-score data.

QUS is more diverse than conventional bone densitometry. Both cortical and cancellous bone may be assessed, noting their dissimilar patho-physiological behaviour. There are now a plethora of QUS devices available, some with FDA (US Food & Drug Administration) approval. The two fundamental parameters of attenuation and velocity are often device-specific implemented or combined into proprietary parameters. There currently lacks a consensus on terminology definition.

      This primer on Quantitative Ultrasound assessment of Bone

covers three main categories:

Physical Principles

Scientific & Clinical Measurement

Clinical Implementation & Practice

The three sections may be ordered for internet forwarding via e-mail attachment in pdf format (Adobe Acrobat), the costs being £8 UK per section or £20 UK for all three sections.

To place an order, click here

You will be transferred to a secure Worldpay server
where your order and credit card details will be taken.

A link within this site is provided to a series of low-cost student multi-media tutorials on the Principles and Applications of Ultrasound, covering wave propagation and instrumentation, along with medical and industrial applications, which will also be available from March 2000.

CLIP

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