[Basic study for the measurement of the bone mineral density of the calcaneus by using the radiographic contrast].

We performed a fundamental study for the measurement of the bone mineral density (BMD) of the calcaneus by using the radiographic contrast (RC). The RC of the bone radiography is proportional to the product of the thickness of the bone H(b), the gradient of the image detector system and the difference of the linear attenuation coefficient between the bone and the soft tissue. Therefore, the radiographic contrast per unit bone thickness (RC/H(b)) can be used as a good measure of the BMD.