# How to calculate BMD

**URL:** <https://discourse.slicer.org/t/how-to-calculate-bmd/15333>\
**Category:** Support\
**Created:** [January 4, 2021, 2:10pm UTC](https://discourse.slicer.org/t/how-to-calculate-bmd/15333 "2021-01-04T14:10:05Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
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**Author:** ![manjula](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.slicer.org/manjula/32/80981_2.png) [@manjula](https://discourse.slicer.org/u/manjula)\
**Post date:** [January 4, 2021, 3:30pm UTC](https://discourse.slicer.org/t/how-to-calculate-bmd/15333/3 "2021-01-04T15:30:18Z")

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Hi,

We have calculated BMD with MircoCT using the method described [here](https://www.bruker.com/fileadmin/user_upload/8-PDF-Docs/PreclinicalImaging/MolecularImaging/Albira_App_Notes/AP0123_-_PMOD_Software_Protocol_for_Obtaining_Bone_Mineral_Density_Units.pdf).

We are yet to publish our papers based on this yet.

Basically, the main prerequisite is to have a **Calibrated** machine.  
Then we measured the HU means in 3 phantoms with know density. And as Prof Lasso suggested in the final version we took 5 samples to get the

> [@Bone Mineral Density (BMD) measurement method](https://discourse.slicer.org/t/bone-mineral-density-bmd-measurement-method/11010/2):
>
> 3 measurement points are very few. At least for initial exploration, I would add at least 5-10 points, just to have an idea about shape and amount of noise in the curve.

You can pretty much replicate this process in 3D Slicer provided you have a calibrated machine and phantoms with know density.

[![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYEzVD6W0YU)

The resources we used are,  
Fortunately, we did not have to (research team) do the calibration by ourself but it was done by the professionals.  
[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-NBlVGr5gSFJzyYT9wlulZBkykQnhYLr/view?usp=sharing](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-NBlVGr5gSFJzyYT9wlulZBkykQnhYLr/view?usp=sharing)

[![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/l0D4gjwsDI0/maxresdefault.jpg "Bruker microCT tutorial: Calibration and measurement of bone mineral density (BMD and TMD) in bone.") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0D4gjwsDI0)

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