BUA osteoporosis diagnostic with single position vs scanning systems: a comparative study

In this work we have used an ultrasound system to measure the broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA) of ultrasonic waves in a region of the calcaneus. The system is able to measure ultrasound attenuation in a single position or in a scanned X-Y plane. It was tested with patients using both the single position and the scanning methods. The results were compared to those of densitometric exams carried out with a Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry Equipment (DEXA) in order to validate its use as a tool to help in the osteoporosis diagnosis.