Pitfalls of bone mineral density evaluation by dual-photon absorptiometry.
Material absorbing photons aligned with the lumbar vertebrae can create falsely elevated measurements of bone mineral density during dual-photon absorptiometry. Three cases illustrating this phenomenon are presented. Although bone mineral density was overestimated in each case, calculated fracture risk was normal in two cases and greatly increased in the third. Photon-absorbing material can create overestimates of bone mineral density during dual-photon absorptiometry, even when a greatly increased fracture risk is computed.
Elliott
M W
MW
Department of Radiology, Albuquerque Veterans Affairs Medical Center, New Mexico.
Eisenberg
B
B
Dorin
M H
MH
Vela
S
S
Dorin
R I
RI
Murata
G H
GH
Tzamaloukas
A H
AH
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015519:Bone Density; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging