Measurement of regional bone mineral density: a new technique for the evaluation of the temporal bone.

The measurement of regional bone mineral density (rBMD) is a new method of evaluation of the human temporal bone in vitro or in vivo. Modified computed tomography (CT) enables us to collect a three-dimensional array of precise, reproducible bone density values, as well as high-quality CT images. Measurements are calibrated using phantoms of known composition and density. Conventional CT provides density information that is relative, qualitative, and lacks precise reproducibility over time. The rBMD technique provides precise numeric density measurements. Additional image processing capabilities are described. In vivo data from six normal temporal bones and from two patients with Paget's disease involving the temporal bone are presented to demonstrate the technique.