Bilateral variation in calcaneal broadband ultrasound attenuation part II: As measured by three bone densitometers employing ultrasound or X-ray

In previous study, we found a bilateral difference in broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA) of the calcaneus, using the McCue Cubaclinical 11 device. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether a calcaneal bilateral difference (greater than that that would be expected from the coefficient of variation) was also found by other instruments and their technologies. Twenty-four subjects (ages 22-81) were each scanned by the same operator using three devices: the Cubaclinical (ultrasound [US], BUA), the Lunar Achilles plus (US, BUA and stiffness index), and the Pixi (dual X-ray absorptiometry, bone mineral density). To allow for the different variables used by the three devices, the following computation was applied to the data for comparison purposes (left - right) - (right). Analysis of variance showed no significant difference. We conclude that the three devices do not differ in their ability to detect a proportional difference between right and left calcanei. In an additional investigation, using the Cubaclinical, 23 subjects were scanned. The direction of the US wave between emitter and receiver transducers was reversed to determine the effect, if any, on bilateral BUA readings. In this case, the direction of the US wave was not influential.