Cortical Thickness and Medullary Canal Dimensions of the Bone Phalanx Are Predicted by Quantitative Ultrasound Parameters

The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between quantitative ultrasound (QUS) parameters extracted from the analysis of the ultrasound (US) signal and the geometric properties of the bones. One hundred and one subjects in the age range of 20-74 yr (mean: 52 ± 12 yr) have been measured by QUS at the phalanges for the evaluation of amplitude-dependent speed of sound (AD-SoS), bone transmission time (BTT), US peak amplitude (UPA), signal dynamic (SDY), slope, energy, and fast wave amplitude (FWA). Hand radiograph, lumbar spine dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and quantitative computed tomography (QCT), and femoral neck DXA forearm peripheral QCT were performed on all patients. BTT is related to cortical thickness (CTh) (r = 0.62, p < 0.0001), and FWA is related to medullary canal thickness (r = −0.64, p < 0.0001). Other parameters are related to both medullary canal thickness (AD-SoS: r = −0.21; UPA: r = −0.53; SDY: r = −0.56; slope: r = −0.64; energy: r = −0.44, p < 0.05) and CTh (AD-SoS: r = 0.54, p < 0.0001; UPA: r = 0.51; SDY: r = 0.38; slope: r = 0.32; energy: r = 0.56, p < 0.001). Linear multivariate models indicate that BTT, UPA, and energy measured at the phalanges carry independent information on CTh of the bone, whereas FWA, SDY, and slope are related only to medullary canal thickness.