Trabecular bone does not have a fractal structure on light microscopic examination

J Pathol. 1993 Jul;170(3):311-3. doi: 10.1002/path.1711700315.

Abstract

The fractal dimension of the boundary of trabecular bone in 62 biopsies was measured on histological sections using a box-counting method implemented on a microcomputer image analysis system. The calculated fractal dimension had a mean value of 0.99 with a normal distribution. Since this value is not greater than the topological dimension, trabecular bone, when examined by light microscopy, does not have a fractal structure. Conventional Euclidean dimensions will continue to be the most useful measurements in bone histomorphometry.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Bone and Bones / anatomy & histology*
  • Female
  • Fractals*
  • Humans
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
  • Male
  • Middle Aged