DESCRIPTION: Evaluation of the degree of bone mineralization by means of bi-photonic absorptiometry of RX. Morphometry studies.

Normal densitometry is done in the femur (hip) and lumbar spine (vertebral bodies L1 to L4). The determining value is the lowest of both sites.

If at least two contiguous vertebrae can not be analyzed or if there are vertebrae with fracture sequelae or focal lesion and/or those that have more than one standard-deviation difference with the rest of the segment, the lumbar study is not appraisable. Hips with fracture sequelae, focal lesions or prostheses should also be discarded.

Other conditions that make the measurement of bone density not feasible in the lumbar spine or hip are neurological deficits, pain or obesity of the patient. In these cases, it is possible to replace normal densitometry with forearm densitometry, usually performed in the non-dominant forearm, that is, the left will be studied if the patient is right-handed and vice versa.

PREPARATION: No previous preparation needed.

INDICATIONS: Existence of risk factors for osteoporosis (hyperthyroidism, early menopause [<45 years] in order to diagnose significant bone demineralizations to help make therapeutic decisions, prolonged secondary amenorrhea, primary hypogonadism, patients undergoing long-term corticosteroid therapy (<7.5 mg/day, > one year).
Conditions associated with osteoporosis (primary hyperparathyroidism, nervous anorexia, under-absorption syndromes, post-transplants, chronic renal failure, imperfect osteogenesis, neoplasms, prolonged immobilization, Cushing’s syndrome).
Radiological evidence of osteopenia and/or vertebral deformities.
Previous fractures due to fragility (hip, spine, wrist or proximal humerus).
Significant height loss or marked kyphosis.
Therapeutic monitoring (treatment with bi-phosphonates, calcitonin, fluorinated salts, D-vitamin; hormone replacement therapy in patients with secondary osteoporosis).

DURATION OF PROCEDURE: 20 minutes.