The bone mineral density (BMD) of the accessory carpal bone was measured (in aluminum millimeters - mmAl) in 30 female and 30 male Quarter Horse equines aging between 42 and 48 months that presented distal epiphysis of the radio closed, in full activity, using optical densitometry in radiographic images. Evaluation was made using a software specially developed for optical density measurement in X-ray films, containing the radiographic image of the accessory carpus bone, the region of soft parts adjacent to the accessory carpus and the degrees of an aluminum step wedge, used to measure BMD value (average of the interest region established on the accessory carpus bone corresponding to the value on the step wedge in millimeters/aluminum ( mmAl)). BMD values found for female were 4.49 ± 0.69mm Al with age of 43 ± 2 months e for male 4.43 ± 0.8mm Al, with average age 45 ± 2 months not show differences statistically significant in BMD values among sexes.
radiology; equine; bone densitometry
