Abstract:

BACKGROUND: With the appearance of direct digital X-ray camera system digital radiography(DR), computer-related knowledge is applied to increase post-processing procedures, which provides a new method for the determination of clinical bone mineral density.
OBJECTIVE: To explore a new method measuring bone mineral density by measuring pixel density of femoral neck, ward's triangle and greater trochanter of femur with digital DR’s powerful post-processing function on standard pelvic plain film.
METHODS: According to age, 105 pelvic direct digital X-ray plain films were randomly divided into experimental group (≤ 60 years old) and control group (> 60 years old). Three spots on femoral neck density, one spot on ward triangle, and three spots on femur large nodule were measured according to standard formulation of the pelvic plain films. T test was used to examine femoral neck, femoral greater trochanter and femoral neck ward triangle mean pixel density between two groups female patients, respectively. The density distribution of femoral neck, femoral greater trochanter and femoral neck ward triangle between two groups were observed.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: In control group, pixel density of the femoral neck (945.59±174.70), greater trochanter pixel density (712.67 ± 196.89), ward triangle pixel density (873.70±195.17); in experimental group, neck pixel density (779.03 ±125.79), greater trochanter pixel density (526.22±127.93), ward triangle pixel density (668.30±131.19). There were significant differences between two groups (P < 0.05). It is indicated that pelvis pixel density by DR technology can be used as one of the methods of measuring bone mineral density, and the operation is simple, having potential for application, avoiding second medical examination.