Values of noninvasive techniques in predicting bone histology.

These studies investigate the predictive value of the newer, noninvasive techniques (i.e. CT scans, measurement of bone mineral density by photon absorptiometry, and recent serum biochemical tests such as bone Gla-protein and specific bone alkaline phosphatase) by comparing these results to those of histomorphometry after bone biopsy. Results reveal interesting correlations and lack of correlations between bone parameters and biochemical measurements and indicate that bone biopsies along with newer noninvasive techniques represent the optimal approach to patients with metabolic bone diseases.