COMPTON SCATTER DENSITOMETRY IN CANCELLOUS BONE

A single-source low-energy Compton densitometer has been used to investigate the effects of multiple scattering on density determinations. The relative electron density and mass density were determined in samples of known density, and in samples of human cancellous bone tissue. The influence of sample diameter on the measured relative electron density of known samples was investigated. The measured value was strongly dependent on the diameter and the density range of the sample. The bias inherent in the density determination which is attributable to multiple scattering and attenuation in human femoral bone was evaluated, and a correction for these effects is suggested for clinical measurements.