Ultrasound of the tibia measures the speed of sound through cortical bone and is a measure of bone density and strength. Ten subjects were measured twice each on the same side by a single operator using the Myriad SoundScan 2000. Intra-operator precision error, expressed as the coefficient of variation (CV%), was 0.3%. Inter-operator precision error was also found to be 0.3% when results from the same ten subjects obtained by two operators were analysed. Seventy-four subjects had their speed of sound (SOS) measured on both the left and right tibiae by a single operator. The Pearson correlation coefficient was 0.83.
Fifty subjects had their SOS measured as well as their bone mineral density (BMD) determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) using the Hologic QDR 2000. BMD measurements were made at the lumbar spine (AP view), femoral neck, trochanter, Ward’s triangle and total hip. Pearson correlations between these various sites and SOS were as follows: SOS versus BMD AP spine, r = 0.61, P < 0.0001; SOS versus femoral neck, r = 0.68, P < 0.0001; SOS versus trochanter, r = 0.71, P < 0.0001; SOS versus Ward’s triangle, r = 0.70, P < 0.0001; and SOS versus total hip, r = 0.67, P < 0.0001.
In conclusion, ultrasound of the tibia is a precise and promising tool in the assessment of osteoporosis. Further studies are needed to document its clinical usefulness.
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The author(s) declare there are no affiliations with or involvement in any organisation or entity with any financial interest in the subject matter or materials discussed in this manuscript.
