Effect of calcium tablets on interpretation of lumbar spine DXA scans.

Undissolved calcium (Ca) tablets in the gastrointestinal tract at the time of a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan could conceivably affect the accuracy of the lumbar spine bone mineral density (BMD) determination. We studied phantoms and volunteers to determine the effect of Ca tablets overlying bone, Ca tablets in the soft-tissue field, and Ca tablets overlapping both bone and soft tissue. For L1-4, a 500-mg Ca tablet taped to the phantom surface or the skin of volunteers resulted in View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Special report on the official positions of the International Society for Clinical Densitometry.

The International Society for Clinical Densitometry (ISCD) periodically holds Position Development Conferences (PDCs) for the purpose of establishing standards and guidelines for indications, acquisition, and interpretation of bone density tests. Topics are selected for consideration by the ISCD Scientific Advisory Committee, reviewed by scientific working groups, and presented to an international panel of experts. Topic categories addressed to date include indications for bone density testing, selection of reference databases for T-scores and Z-scores, clinical applications for central and peripheral bone densitometry, serial bone density testing, instrument precision assessment, phantom scanning and calibration testing, requirements for a bone density report, nomenclature, and diagnosis of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women, premenopausal women, men, and children.

What are the criteria by which a densitometric diagnosis of osteoporosis can be made in males and non-Caucasians?

Osteoporotic fractures are not rare in men or non-Caucasian women. However, for these groups, there is no consensus densitometric definition of osteoporosis. As is the case in Caucasian women, low bone mineral density (BMD) is associated with increased fracture risk among men and non-Caucasian women; thus, a densitometric definition of osteoporosis seems feasible.