The role of dual energy X-ray absorptiometry of lumbar spine and proximal femur in the diagnosis and follow-up of osteoporosis.

Dual energy x-ray absorptiometry techniques have been validated for the quantitative assessment of bone mass at two skeletal sites particularly at risk of osteoporotic fracture, i.e., lumbar spine and proximal femur. These measurements assess areal bone mineral density (BMD), which integrates the size of the bone and its thickness, as well as the true volumetric density. Areal density provides useful information relative to fracture risk, since there is an inverse relationship between incidence of osteoporotic fractures and areal BMD. Although lumbar spine BMD measurements by a lateral view could offer the advantage over conventional anteroposterior projection of avoiding osteophytes and posterior element osteoarthritis, it does not seem to be superior in diagnostic sensitivity, except possibly for corticosteroid-induced bone loss. Femoral neck BMD appears to be a significantly better predictor of fracture of the proximal femur. Since this measurement does not appear to be influenced by osteoarthritis, it would be the most suitable for the diagnosis of osteoporosis in the elderly. However, the potential for error in terms of both accuracy and precision for dual x-ray absorptiometry measurements of lumbar spine and proximal femur emphasizes the need for strictly controlled conditions of measurement.