Skeletal System

Bone Imaging


Bone Densitometry

 
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Bone Scan
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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




Bone Imaging


Bone Densitometry


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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.
   

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