RADIOGRAPHIC FEATURES OF OSTEOPOROSIS Flashcards
(T/F) Osteopenia does NOT equal osteoporosis
True
What are the 4 major causes of difuse osteopenia? Which is NOT a metabolic disorder?
Osteoporosis
Osteomalacia
Hyperparathyroidism
Neoplasm/Multiple myeloma
What are the X-ray findings of osteoporosis?
1) Decreased bone density – (osteopenic changes)
2) Accentuation (coarsening) of weight-bearing trabeculae.
3) Cortical thinning of diaphysis
4) Insufciency fractures
5) As bone becomes osteopenic, they darken & the trabecule will begin to resorb. The vertical patterns stay
longer to provide strength. The horizontal lines go 1st
Osteopenia is 1st evident where & why?
Verterae, Pelvis, Ribs, Ends of long bones, Tarsal bones (They are trabecular bones)
Why is trabecular bone more sensitive to imbalances of formation & resorption?
Has 8X surface area & higher metabolic rate.
Where do you see “Fish Vertebrae” (Biconcave vertebral bodies)?
Schmorf’s nodes?
Advanced osteoporosis
follows a predictable pattern of trabecular loss.
The calcaneus
Plain film radiographic assessments are ________? DXA scan is _____?
Qualitative, Quantitative
QUANTITATIVE IS MORE RELIABLE THAN _____?
qualitative
What is disuse osteoporosis?
Boney resorption from not using the bone for 6-8 weeks.
What must be true about patient’s vascular status for osteoporosis to occur?
Must have intact vascular supply, otherwise can’t have osteoporosis.
What is the Hawkin’s sign?
Used to determine if patient has intact bone vascular status.
Partial Hawkin’s sign is bad because the patient has partial return of blood supply
What is the “String of Lights” Sign? Where do you see it?
Sign is specific for Reflex Sympathetic Distrophy (RSD). See linking of met heads.
What sign is specific for RSD?
“String of Lights” Sign
The mid-diaphyseal cortical width should account for what % of the total width at the 2rd/
3rd metacarpal bones?
50%
