X-ray morphometry in osteoporosis: yesterday, today, tomorow

Abstract

Primary osteoporosis (OP) can be successfully diagnosed with the complex use of clinical, laboratory, and X-ray studies. In terms of the population characteristics of the sizes and shapes of vertebral bodies, X-ray morphometry of the vertebral column occupies a special place in a set of radiodiagnostic methods. X-ray morphometry is required to diagnose the most pronounced deformative osteoporotic changes in the spine and to determine the time course of changes in vertebral bodies. The use of X-ray morphometric study to examine other parts of the skeleton, including the proximal femur, has become an important stage in its development for the diagnosis of OP. That of X-ray morphometry for the concurrence of osteopenia and OP with other dystrophic changes in the vertebral column primarily with chondrosis and osteochondrosis is of value. The accumulated diagnostic experience allows X-ray morphometry to be considered to be an effective current diagnostic study of the spine.