Bone Densitometry in Children

Judith E. Adams

doi:10.1055/s-0036-1592369

Seminars in Musculoskeletal Radiology, Table of Contents

Semin Musculoskelet Radiol 2016; 20(03): 254-268
DOI: 10.1055/s-0036-1592369

Review Article

Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Bone Densitometry in Children

Authors

Judith E. Adams

¹Department of Radiology, The Royal Infirmary, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, United Kingdom

²Imaging Science, Institute of Population Health, Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom

Abstract

Maximizing peak bone mass in childhood is relevant to optimizing bone health in later life, so the study of the skeleton in children in health and disease is important. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is the most widely used clinical tool for the assessment of bone status in children. Technological developments in DXA enable vertebral fracture assessment at much lower ionizing radiation doses than spinal radiographs. Quantitative computed tomography remains predominantly a research tool but has some advantages over DXA in not being size dependent. High-resolution peripheral computed tomography measures trabecular and cortical bone microstructure but is technically challenging, particularly in children, and not widely available, so it is unlikely to be used in clinical practice. Other quantitative techniques (quantitative magnetic resonance imaging, digital X-ray absorptiometry, quantitative ultrasound) have been applied in children but remain research applications, and they are only covered briefly in this review.

Keywords

children - bone densitometry - dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry - quantitative computed tomography - vertebral fracture

Full Text

References

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