ABSTRACT
Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal disease characterized by reduced bone mass and
microarchitectural deterioration. These lead to subsequent increase in bone fragility
and susceptibility to low-trauma or atraumatic fractures, most commonly vertebral
fractures but also fractures of hip and wrist. These have a significant impact on
morbidity, mortality, and health care cost. Studies have demonstrated that the presence
of vertebral fractures is an independent and significant predictor of the increased
risk for further fractures. The occurrence of a vertebral fracture is often clinically
asymptomatic, and many of these fractures, therefore, remain undiagnosed. Recently,
a number of techniques have been developed that allow for reliable identification
of vertebral fractures on radiographs. The two most widely used methods in clinical
research are the semiquantitative assessment of vertebral deformities, which is based
on visual evaluation, and the quantitative approach, which is based on different morphometric
criteria. In our practice for osteoporosis evaluation we use the Genant semiquantitative
approach-an accurate and reproducible method, tested and applied in many clinical
studies. The newest generation of fan-beam dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA)
systems delivering "high-resolution" lateral spine images offer a potential practical
alternative to radiographs for clinical vertebral fracture analysis. The advantages
of using DXA over conventional X-ray devices are its minimal radiation exposure and
high-speed image acquisition. It also allows combined evaluation of vertebral fracture
status and bone mineral density, which could become a standard for patient assessment
in osteoporosis.
KEYWORD
Osteoporosis - vertebral fracture - conventional X-ray - dual energy X-ray absorptiometry
- bone mineral density
