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Bone Mineral Density and Quantitative Imaging

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Pitfalls in Diagnostic Radiology

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Abstract

Quantitative imaging methods are widely used in the evaluation of bone metabolic status and to diagnose and to manage diseases of huge epidemiological, clinical, and economic impact, such as osteoporosis. Bone mineral density (BMD) is still the major factor in clinical determination of bone strength. The central technique in the imaging flowchart of metabolic bone diseases is dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Special consideration also deserves quantitative ultrasound (QUS), due to its relationships with fracture risks and to specific advantages. Quantitative computed tomography (QCT) and peripheral QCT equipments are also promising tools for the analysis of bone density and bone architectural properties and to bring such advanced analysis near clinical practice in the next future. On the other hand, magnetic resonance (MR)-based techniques are still confined to the research field. In quantitative imaging, the execution of the examination is particularly important because (a) the key point of the scan is the “measurement” and not qualitative evaluation of images; therefore, the evaluation is mainly given on the basis of acquired measures, and (b) it is often difficult to understand the presence and effect of errors after the results (measures) are obtained. This chapter describes and analyzes potential pitfalls in the execution and interpretation of quantitative imaging techniques involved in the field of bone metabolic diseases.

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Abbreviations

BMD:

Bone mineral density

BUA:

Broadband ultrasound attenuation

CT:

Computed tomography

DXA:

Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry

HR-pQCT:

High-resolution pQCT

pQCT:

Peripheral QCT

QCT:

Quantitative computed tomography

QUS:

Quantitative ultrasound

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, University of Foggia, Viale L. Pinto 1, 71100, Foggia, Italy

    Giuseppe Guglielmi MD

  2. Department of Radiology, Scientific Institute “Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza” Hospital, Viale Cappuccini 1, 71013, San Giovanni Rotondo, Foggia, Italy

    Giuseppe Guglielmi MD

  3. Imaging Division, Clinical Department of Radiological and Histocytopathological Sciences, Sant’Orsola – Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Via G. Massarenti 9, 40138, Bologna, Italy

    Fabio Ferrari MD & Alberto Bazzocchi MD

  4. Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, “Rizzoli” Orthopaedic Institute, Via G. C. Pupilli 1, 40136, Bologna, Italy

    Alberto Bazzocchi MD

Authors
  1. Giuseppe Guglielmi MD
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  2. Fabio Ferrari MD
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  3. Alberto Bazzocchi MD
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Giuseppe Guglielmi MD .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Alexandra Health, Singapore, Singapore

    Wilfred C. G. Peh

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Guglielmi, G., Ferrari, F., Bazzocchi, A. (2015). Bone Mineral Density and Quantitative Imaging. In: Peh, W. (eds) Pitfalls in Diagnostic Radiology. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-44169-5_6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-44169-5_6

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