PQCT-ANALYSIS OF DENSITY AND STRUCTURE OF THE DISTAL RADIUS AND ULNA IN HEMODIALYSIS-PATIENTS

By using a modified pQCT-technique (XCT 900 STRATEC) were determined i n 38 hemodialysis patients (14 female, 24 male patients, age 51.3 +/- 14 years; duration of dialysis 27.8 +/- 27 months; shunt since 28.3 +/ - 23 month) the following datas: Ultradistal - trabecular bone mineral density (BMDr, BMDu); proximal - cortical bone area as a part of the whole bone area (area) and the bone mineral density in relation to the cortical bone area (index). The bone mineral density of non-shunt-arm bones is somewhat higher than in the opposite site. The trabecular bo ne density is generally higher in the ulna than in the radius. The cro ss-sectional areas of the bones were in both arms nearly adequate. But the percentage of the cortical bone area is enlarged in shunt arms. R adius and ulna show a higher cortical bone density in shunt arms too. Statistically assured changes in bone structure and density in adjunct ion to arterio-venous shunt could not to be found. Conclusion: Bone mi neral density measurement in hemodialysis patients is considerable and representative as well as in the shunt-arm as in opposite arm.