title: Bone densitometry: current status and future perspectives.
abstract: In this chapter we discuss the concept of what determines bone strength and fracture risk and how this can be quantified using current technologies. We describe bone densitometry measurement techniques that are currently available and consider the strengths and limitations of each technique, with particular relevance to paediatric scanning. Magnetic resonance imaging is reviewed as one of the newer technologies applied to the assessment of the growing skeleton. The role of dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and quantitative computed tomography (QCT) in the clinical assessment of bone health in children is considered and current diagnostic application reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nuclear Medicine, Queen Elizabeth NHS Foundation Trust Hospital, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK. nicola.crabtree@uhb.nhs.uk
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Crabtree
authors.forename: Kate
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ward
mesh_terms: D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D001827:Body Height / Q000502:physiology; D015519:Bone Density / Q000502:physiology*; D001846:Bone Development / Q000502:physiology; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology; D002648:Child; D003720:Densitometry / Q000639:trends*; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D012044:Regression Analysis; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014463:Ultrasonography