An evaluation of the contribution of bone mass measurements to clinical practice.

Measurement of bone mass by dual photon absorptiometry (DPA) provides a powerful research tool, but its role in clinical practice is contentious. In the present review, several questions of clinical relevance relating to bone mass are addressed and the contribution of DPA assessed. While there is currently much conflicting data in the literature, it is nevertheless predicted that with the recent improvements in DPA (X-ray systems) there will be much wider clinical application.