Osteoporosis is a skeletal condition in which the loss of bone mineral density (BMD) leads to decreased bone strength and increased susceptibility to fractures.
- Risk factors:Â
Postmenopausal women ,older adults (abrupt decrease in estrogen and age-related processes play a key role in the development of osteoporosis, physical inactivity, a diet low in calcium and vitamin D , smoking, and alcohol consumption.
Radiographic features:
The changes of osteoporosis are best seen in the spine (Lateral thoracic and lumbar spine x-ray )
- Decreased bone density
- Loss of normal bony trabecula Dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) is the gold standard technique for the diagnosis of osteoporosis
Decreased bone density in osteoporosis
X-ray lumbar spine (lateral view) of a patient with osteoporosis
The vertebrae have a low-density appearance as a result of the loss of trabecular bone, and the cortical outline of each vertebra appears accentuated.Z
Other potential findings on a spine radiograph in osteoporosis include an abnormal trabecular pattern and biconcave or compressed vertebral configuration.
