title: Association of lumbar fractures, abdominal aortic calcification, and osteopenia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose was to assess if abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) and low bone mineral density (BMD) are associated with fractures on lumbar spine radiographs in trauma patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospectively, 303 consecutive lumbar radiographs were independently reviewed by two radiologists for AAC, low BMD, and traumatic findings.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty-one percent of patients had low BMD, 34% had AAC, and 24% had both. Eleven percent of radiographs showed traumatic findings. Seventy-six percent of positive cases had low BMD (P<.001), and 64% had AAC (P<.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A higher index of suspicion for fractures is warranted when AAC and low BMD are present.
authors.affiliation: Division of Emergency Radiology, Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA. Electronic address: tarek.hanna@emory.edu.
authors.forename: Tarek N
authors.initials: TN
authors.lastname: Hanna
authors.affiliation: Division of Emergency Radiology, Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA.
authors.forename: Matthew E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Zygmont
authors.affiliation: Division of Musculoskeletal Radiology, Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA.
authors.forename: Elie
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Harmouche
authors.affiliation: Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA.
authors.forename: Ninad
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Salastekar
authors.affiliation: Division of Emergency Radiology, Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA.
authors.forename: Jamlik-Omari
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.affiliation: Division of Emergency Radiology, Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA.
authors.forename: Faisal
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Khosa
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001018:Aortic Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D015519:Bone Density / Q000502:physiology*; D001851:Bone Diseases, Metabolic / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*
keywords: Aortic calcifications; Emergency department; Lumbar spine; Osteoporosis; Vertebral fracture