Quantitative Bone Ultrasound

Quantitative ultrasound (QUS) of bone is an important tool in osteoporosis research and bone health assessment. It offers a non-invasive, radiation-free alternative to the well-established measurement of bone mineral density (BMD) by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). This chapter provides an in-depth exploration of the evolution, challenges, and clinical integration of bone QUS. It covers various QUS techniques for assessing trabecular and cortical bone, describes the fundamental principles of the interaction of ultrasound waves with different tissue types, and addresses challenges arising from the bone’s heterogeneous architecture, limited penetration depth, anisotropy, and frequency-dependent attenuation and their clinical applications. It outlines the advancements in QUS technology, shifting from quantifying acoustic properties for the estimation of BMD to the assessment of structural and elastic material properties of bones.