Investigation of physical image quality indices of a bone densitometry system.

Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by a loss of bone mass and a deterioration of bone structure. Bone mineral density (BMD) measures bone mass and is currently the method used to diagnose osteoporosis, while computerized radiographic texture analysis (RTA) is being investigated as a measure of bone structure. The GE/Lunar PIXI peripheral bone densitometer (PD) system, which uses dual-energy subtraction to measure BMD, also provides a digital image of the heel or forearm.