The evaluation of forearm density with axial tomography

The purpose of the present investigation was to validate axial tomography technique for estimating forearm density. Twenty forearm specimens from six male and four female embalmed human cadavers were used. Segmental mass, volume and density criteria were obtained by weight in air, hydrostatic weight and mass/volume ratio, respectively. Densities of bones and muscles were similarly measured. Segmental density as measured by axial tomography was overestimated by an average of 2.1% and the errors ranged from 0.05 to 4.81%. Results from this study indicated the presence of three density regions in the segment. Moreover, density data were found to be very similar in all zones of the central region of the segment (2/3 of its length) to actual segment density. It is thus actually possible to estimate forearm density in living humans, by taking two scans in the central zone of the segment if data pertaining to tissue densities are available.