Metabolic bone disease – Radiology

Question 1

what are the different methods of bone imaging?

Answer 1

x rays
CT
bone densitometry
–> density

MRI –>biochemical comp
radionuclide bone scans–> bone turnover

Question 2

define pathology

Answer 2

A disease process that gives rise to symptoms, signs,
biochemical disturbances and changes in imaging
appearance.

Question 3

define radiological signs

Answer 3

A change in imaging appearance, whether structural or

functional, that may point towards a pathology

Question 4

how would you diagnose osteoporosis?

Answer 4

dual-enery absortiometry, DEXA scan

measures bone mineral density

T-score <2.5 = osteoporosis

-1.5-2.5 = osteopenia

Question 5

what are insufficiency fractures?

Answer 5

aka Looser’s zones

stress fractures due to normal stress on abnormal bone

early stages of insufficiency fractures are undetectable on an xray or CT

Question 6

what is osteomalacia

Answer 6

structurally abnormal bone due to decreased mineralisation. caused by vitamin D deficiency

Rickets in children

Question 7

what is codfish vertebrae?

Answer 7

biconcave deformity of vertebrae

seen in osteoporosis and malacia

Question 8

what are the phases of Paget’s disease?

Answer 8

 Lytic phase
 Mixed lytic/sclerotic phase
 Sclerotic phase

paget’s disease only affects one bone and does not jump across joints