Korean J Oral Maxillofac Radiol.  2006 Jun;36(2):69-72.

Change of the fractal dimension according to the decalcification degree and the exposure time in the bovine rib

• Jung YH
• Nah KS
• Cho BH

Abstract

PURPOSE: We evaluated the fractal dimension changes on bovine rib radiographs according to the decalcification degree and the exposure time in the bovine rib.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Twenty 5 mm thick cross-sectional blocks from bovine rib bone were progressively decalcified in 30 mL 0.1 N hydrochloric acid for 5, 30, and 90 minutes. They were radiographed at three exposure time settings (0.22, 0.36, 0.43 mAs) before and after each decalcification stage. We selected 100 x 100 pixel-sized regions of interests (ROIs) on trabecular bone and calculated fractal dimensions by box-counting method.
RESULTS
Repeated measures ANOVA showed that fractal dimensions gradually decreased after acid-induced demineralization and with more exposure (P<0.001).
CONCLUSION
The fact that fractal dimensions decrease after decalcification might support the hypothesis that patients with osteoporosis have decreased radiographic fractal dimension in trabecular bone in comparison to normal subjects.

Keyword

Fractals; Bone and Bones; Osteoporosis; Radiography

MeSH Terms

Bone and Bones
Fractals*
Humans
Hydrochloric Acid
Osteoporosis
Radiography
Ribs*
Hydrochloric Acid