Clinical Application of Bone Mineral Density Measurement

Kim, Deog Yoon

Abstract

Compared with the earlier technique of dual photon absorptiometry (DPA) using 153Gd radionuclide source, dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) has advantages of higher precision, accuracy and shorter scanning time. Despite the change from DPA to DPX, the nuclear medicine physicians has remained one of major suplier of this service due to long-standing use of DPA. Among many kinds of bone densitometries, DXA is the "gold standard" for the noninvasive diagnosis of osteoporosis. Especially there is no role for peripheral devices in the monitoring of patients on therapy. But, there are some areas of controversy related to the application of DXA, such as proper site of measurement, accurate interpretation, appropriate use of T-score, and the reference population young database. And the accuracy, precision, and quality control issues relating to bone density measurement are important subjects. To address these issues, the International Society for Clinical Densitometry (ISCD) has convened two Position Development Conferences and addressed official positions. This review deals the key elements of ISCD position paper and other important issues on the management of bone densitometry.