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Bone Imaging

Bone Densitometry

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Bone Imaging: Summary of Clinical Indications

screening of high risk patients with tumors (e.g. breast, lung, prostate or kidney) known to metastisize frequently to bone
detection of early osteomyelitis
detection of early avascular necrosis
detection of stress fractures and other occult skeletal trauma
detection and evaluation of Paget's disease, metabolic bone disease, and other osteopathies
detection and evaluation of arthritis and internal joint derangements
evaluation of bone viability when blood supply is in question
evaluation of bone and joint pain of obscure origin
evaluation following an elevated alkaline phosphatase level
evaluation following questionably abnormal skeletal radiographs
serially following the course of bony response to therapeutic regimens (E.G. radiation therapy, chemotherapy, antibiotic therapy)
diagnosis of reflex sympathetic dystrophy

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Total Body Scan

Bone Densitometry Summary of Clinical Indications
Menopause is the single most important cause of osteoporosis. Other factors that may add to the risk of osteoporosis include:

a family history of oseoporosis
early menopause (before age 45)
a previous broken bone that might have been the result of osteoporosis
caucasian or asian descent
thin or small build
use of medications such as steriods and thyroid hormones
smoking
drinking too much alcohol
not getting enough exercise
not getting enough calcium now or during the bone building years
lactose intolerance or chronic intestinal disorders
thin or small framed

The following diagnostic criteria for osteoporosis in adult women have been proposed by the World Health Organization expert panel to standardize iterpretation of BMD or bone mineral content (BMC).

World Health Organization Standardized Interpretation of Bone Mineral Density

NORMAL: A value for BMD or BMC not more than 1 SD below the young adult mean value.
LOW BONE MASS (osteopenia): A value for BMD or BMC between 1 SD and 2.5 SDs below the young adult mean.
OSTEOPOROSIS: A value for BMD or BMC more than 2.5 SDs below the young adult mean value.
SEVERE OSTEOPOROSIS: A value for BMD or BMC more than 2.5 SDs below the young adult mean value in the presence of one or more fragility fractures.

Note: There is insufficient data to apply these criteria to men and to young people before skeletal growth is complete.