Correlation between Bone Condition Factor and Broadband Ultrasound Attenuation

INTRODUCTION Age-related bone quality measurements play a vital role in many areas of research. One area where the assessment of bone quality is essential is in impact biomechanics. This field relies heavily on whole-body cadaveric specimens to determine potential injuries and their mechanisms. It is therefore essential to determine whether bone fractures and other injuries sustained are due to the impact itself or poor bone quality. In an effort to determine how bone quality affects the rate of injury, the thoracic resistance and skeletal quality of cadaveric specimens were evaluated by Sacreste [1] and Koh [2]. Sacreste [1] performed a factorial analysis on the parameters of bone characterization and validated a bone resistance index called the Bone Condition Factor (BCF) as a predictor for bone quality. Koh [2] later used this parameter in his analysis of rib strength during side impact. BCF is a very time consuming, invasive technique and can only be determined after whole body testing is completed. One noninvasive method used clinically to measure the bone quality is quantitative ultrasound (QUS). Based on the success of QUS in the clinical setting, the use of Broadband Ultrasound Attenuation (BUA) to determine bone quality prior to impact testing was explored. The goal of this research was to determine if there was a significant correlation between Broadband Ultrasound Attenuation (BUA) and Bone Condition Factor (BCF).