Acoustical Detection of Senile Osteoporosis

Abstract
Conclusions The large difference between the values of FL for the osteoporotic and the normal subjects suggests that the acoustical method is more sensitive than the radiographic method. If one conservatively assumes that L can be measured to ± 1.0 mm and that F can be measured to ± 5.0 cycles per second, FL is accurate to ± 150 cm per second or about 2.5%. Reference to Fig. 4 indicates that this accuracy in FL will allow determination of bone density with an accuracy of about ± 3%. Compared to the 30% decrease density required for detection by the radiographic technique, the acoustical technique offers a large increase in sensitivity.