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Variation between os calces as measured by broadband ultrasound attenuation

¹ Department Orthopaedics and Traumatology, University of Crete, Medical School, Stavrakia Iraklion, Crete, Greece ² Department Medical Physics, University of Crete, Medical School, Stavrakia Iraklion, Crete, Greece ³ Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, University Hospital, Stavrakia Iraklion, Crete, Greece ⁴ Department Radiology, University of Crete, Medical School, Stavrakia Iraklion, Crete, Greece

We compared broadband ultrasonic attenuation (BUA) values of right with left os calcis in 65 women. All subjects were right handed, and they were divided into two groups: Group 1 consisted of 32 normal volunteers and Group 2 of 33 osteoporotic subjects. Both groups had mean absolute differences in BUA between the two os calces greater than the coefficient of variation (p < 0.001). This difference is not related to stated handedness of the individuals. Osteoporosis affects both os calces similarly. BUA measurements should always be performed in the same site in longitudinal studies, otherwise false comparisons will result.

Received for publication March 18, 1993. Accepted for publication December 23, 1993.