Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 3, 2025

Scanning Skeletal Remains for Bone Mineral Density in Forensic Contexts
Published on: January 29, 2018
Peripheral quantitative computed tomography of the lower leg in children and adolescents: bone densities,
Maciej Jaworski1, Maria Kobylińska1, Krzysztof Graff2,3
1Department of Biochemistry, Radioimmunology and Experimental Medicine, The Children's Memorial Health Institute, Warsaw, Poland.
Objectives:
Peripheral quantitative computed tomography is utilised in increasing numbers of paediatric studies, however, very little is known about the reference limits for pQCT tibia measurements. The purpose of this study was to establish country-specific reference data for bone densities, cross-sectional sizes, strength and regional muscle distribution measured by pQCT in children and adolescents.
Methods:
Stratec XCT 2000L apparatus was used. The measurement sites were 4%, 14%, 38% and 66% of the tibia length. The study group consisted of 222 participants (103 girls) aged 4,3-19,4 yrs. ANCOVA was used to assess the main determinants of pQCT outcomes. The LMS method was used to fit the percentile curves for each outcomes.
Results:
Weight and age were the main determinants for most of the pQCT outcomes. Smoothed percentile curves were developed by age and by height for both sexes.
Conclusion:
In this study we present reference data for bone densities, cross-sectional size and strength as well as for regional muscle distribution measured by pQCT at certain sites of the lower leg to allow simple calculation of reliable Z scores.
Related Concept Videos
Bones of the Lower Limb: Femur and Patella
Computed Tomography
The technique was invented in the 1970s and is based on the principle that as X-rays pass through the body, they are absorbed or reflected at different levels. In the technique, a patient lies on a motorized platform while a computerized axial tomography (CAT) scanner rotates...
Bones of the Lower Limb: Tibia and Fibula
Peripheral Arterial Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Evaluation

