| [ Summary ] |
The roles of radiology in the diagnosis of osteoporosis include evaluation of bone atrophy before the occurrence of fractures, to diagnose fractures, and to distinguish it from similar diseases. Bone atrophy is evaluated with bone densitometry, which is the gold standard for diagnosis of this condition. The diagnosis of vertebral fractures, even those of the subclinical type, is important for predicting future fracture risks as well as bone mineral density. In addition to fragility fractures, insufficiency fractures are frequently associated with osteoporosis, although the mechanisms contributing to fractures are different for the two types of fractures. In this chapter, general outlines and pitfall in diagnostic imaging for osteoporosis are reviewed. |