Quantitative imaging of musculoskeletal tissue.

Quantitative imaging of musculoskeletal tissue, including radiography, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), has become the essential methodology in clinical practice for diagnosis and monitoring of various musculoskeletal conditions. Furthermore, quantitative imaging technologies have become indispensable for research and development in diseases of the human skeleton. Standardized methods of image analysis have been developed through the years to quantify measurements on bone and cartilage with high precision and accuracy. Key areas of musculoskeletal disease where quantitative imaging is currently employed are osteoporosis and arthritis.