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[Seasonal dependence of the parameters of quantitative ultrasonic measurements on the peripheral skeleton]
H-J Mentzel1, R Reusch, W A Kaiser
1Pädiatrische Radiologie, Institut für Diagnostische und Interventionelle Radiologie, Universitätsklinikum Jena. hans-joachim.mentzel@med.uni-jena.de
Purpose:
To investigate the dependence of parameters of quantitative ultrasound (QUS) on seasonable temperature variation.
Material And Methods:
10 adolescents were examined by QUS at the heel (Sahara, Hologic), at the tibia, at the radius and at the proximal phalanges (Omnisense 7000 P, Sunlight). Measuring took place 0 (T1), 30 (T2), 60 (T3), and 120 (T4) minutes after entering the building at constant room temperature. The skin temperature was measured. The speed of sound (SOS; m/s) and the broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA; dB/MHz) were determined as QUS parameters. Investigations took place every two weeks from January to July.
Results:
Between skin temperature at the heel after entering the building and the measured SOS at the point of time (T1), a significantly negative correlation was stated (R = -0.47; p < 0.01); after 30 minutes (T2) the correlation was R = -0.21 (p < 0.01); after 60 minutes (T3) and after 120 minutes (T4) the correlation was not significantly anymore (R = -0,1). Minor, significant correlation was stated at the proximal phalanx at point of time T 1 (R = -0.2; p < 0.01). There was no significant correlation between temperature and SOS at the radius and tibia.
Conclusion:
The speed of sound at the heel depends inversely on outside temperature. This effect decreases with the longer duration of stay in the building. The measuring error is not relevant in relation to the population variability, but should be considered for individual process controls. There is no temperature dependence for the broadband ultrasonic attenuation. The SOS on the radius and tibia does not depend on temperature.
