[Relevance of computed tomography to the fine-structure analysis of bone. A comparative radiological study].

Computed tomography, a relatively young X-ray imaging modality, has so far been mainly employed for the differentiation and densitometry of soft tissues. By modification of the image reconstruction algorithm spatial resolution was improved significantly such that imaging of fine structures and of high contrast boundaries became possible. The image characteristics of the high-resolution computed tomograms were investigated on petrous bones and lumbar vertebral bodies. In the petrous bone, an exact anatomic reconstruction of the bony structures of the inner ear is achieved. In vertebral bodies, imaging of spongiosa structures with 2 mm slice thickness and thereby an early diagnosis of osteoporosis are possible.