Osteodensitometry

Bone Densitometry

In a bone density measurement, the calcium content of the bones is determined. Osteodensitometry is an established method for the diagnosis or control of osteoporosis and other metabolic disorders of the bone in which the risk of a fracture may be increased.

Patients with low vitamin D or estrogen levels are often affected, especially in postmenopausal women. But also diseases that interfere with the hormone balance, such as hyperthyroidism, Cushings syndrome or diseases that require regular administration of glucocorticosteroids, can lead to a reduced content of calcium in the bone.

As a result, the bones are “soft” and can break spontaneously. If you have already had a broken bone without adequate trauma (for example fracture of a vertebral body), you should have your bone density determined. In the context of early detection and also as a follow-up, osteodensitometry is used.

Procedure

Osteodensitometry

In practice radiology Duesseldorf center we apply a CT-based procedure: quantitative computed tomography (QCT). The differently strong absorption of X-rays by different tissues is used. In this way, the density of the individual bone portions (wall and inner mesh) can be calculated separately and there is no falsification by calcified neighboring structures (for example calcified abdominal aorta). This gives us a more accurate result than with the traditional X-ray method.

Evaluation

In addition to the absolute bone density, the computer tomograph calculates two values by means of which the results from different measuring methods can be compared. The T-value indicates the deviation of the bone density from that of a healthy 30-year-old, with values of -1 to -2.5 one speaks of an osteopenia,> 2.5 of osteoporosis. As the calcium content of the bones decreases physiologically with age, half of the patients would be diagnosed with osteoporosis after a certain age.

To avoid this falsification, the z-value is calculated, which compares the bone density with a comparison population of the same age and gender. Z-values> -1 are considered normal. Based on these two values, the referring physician can decide whether a therapy of osteoporosis seems sensible.

Reimbursement

The statutory health insurance companies do not take over the investigation.