Diagnostic notes--lumbar BMC reproducibility as evaluated by means of dual photon absorptiometry.

Three evaluations of lumbar bone mineral content (BMC) were carried out at different times at intervals of a few days in 10 normal volunteers aged between 18 and 60. The dual photon absorptiometry technique was employed (using gadolinium-153 as radioactive isotope). Data on 20 subjects aged from 23 to 62 were recorded on magnetic tape and processed ten times by the same operator.

Vertebral bone density in non-amenorrhoeic hyperprolactinaemic women.

Recently, a decrease in bone mineral content (BMC) in hyperprolactinaemic women with long-lasting amenorrhoea has been reported, and attributed either to a direct effect of PRL on bone or secondary to the oestrogen deficiency. To verify if PRL by itself has a direct effect on bone, we have studied BMC at the lumbar level by double-photon absorptiometry in 22 patients with hyperprolactinaemia, selected on the basis of normal or near-normal oestradiol levels. The results were compared with those obtained in 28 healthy closely-matched women, and seven hyperprolactinaemic patients with long-lasting amenorrhoea and oestrogen deficiency.

Osteoporosis in type II diabetes.

Double photon absorptiometry comparison was done of lumbar bone mineral content (BMC) values in 40 women with well-compensated non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (type II) and on dietary and/or oral hypoglycemic treatment, and 35 age-matched non-diabetic women, to determine the presence and degree of osteoporosis in this type of diabetes by means of a highly precise and sensitive method. No difference between the two groups was noted as regards blood calcium, phosphorus, PTH and thyrocalcitonin, and urinary calcium and phosphorus. BMC, on the other hand, was significantly lower in the diabetics, both in L2,L3,L4 and in L4 alone.