ADVANCES IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF OSTEOPOROSIS

Bone densitometry allows for an assessment of osteoporotic fracture ri sk. Well-established methods include dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), quantitative computed tomography (QCT), and single X-ray absorptiometr y (SXA). The advantages and disadvantages of these methods are discuss ed. Promising innovative techniques include three new X-ray-based appr oaches: lateral DXA and peripheral QCT for the determination of bone m ineral density of the spine and radius, respectively, and morphometric X-ray absorptiometry (MXA) for computerized quantification of vertebr al deformities. Quantitative ultrasound (QUS) and quantitative magneti c resonance (QMR), on the other hand, open up new ways of assessing bo ne microarchitecture in addition to bone mineral density - without the use of ionizing radiation. These new approaches promise to yield new information on skeletal status. Complementing existing bone densitomet ry approaches, this may improve fracture risk assessment.