Videodensitometry of osteons in females with femoral neck fractures

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Abstract
The medial femoral cortices of 10 females with femoral neck fractures and 10 age-matched female autopsy cases were studied using computer-assisted videodensitometry. Radiographic mineral density was determined using the calibration method described by Martin et al. [20]. Measurements were made of porosity, osteon and haversian canal dimensions, and of interstitial and osteon mineral density across the cortical wall of the orthopedic calcar region. There were no differences between the fracture and nonfracture groups in the overall mean mineral density of the bone averaged over the microstructure, excluding pore space, or in the interstitial bone mineral density. The porosity in the fracture group was greater than in the autopsy group, especially in the periosteal region, where the porosity was 2.4 times greater and where there were also 27% fewer osteons per unit area than in the autopsy group (PPP<0.05).