Dual-energy electronic scanning-slit fluorography for the determination of vertebral bone mineral content

A technique for performing accurate bone mineral content (BMC) determination, using dual-energy scanning-slit fluorography, has been developed. X-ray scatter and veiling glare are suppressed using a multiple scanning-slit device interfaced to a conventional digital subtraction angiography system. The technique employs a pair of calibration step wedges, one tissue and one bone equivalent. The proper use of the step wedges obviates the need for accurate kVp calibration or absolute calibration of the system's response to BMC. Phantom studies intended to simulate vertebral BMC measurement indicate that the technique is capable of measuring BMC with less than 30 mg/cm2 inaccuracy over a wide range of BMC.