Comparison of dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry and dual photon absorptiometry for bone mineral measurements of the lumbar spine

Journal Article · Tue Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1988 · Mayo Clin., Proc.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/S0025-6196(12)65502-5· OSTI ID:6516055

Wahner, H W; Dunn, W L; Brown, M L; Morin, R L; Riggs, B L

A new x-ray-based (dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA)) instrument for measurement of bone mineral in the spine and hips was compared with a commercial dual photon absorptiometry (DPA) instrument that uses a 153Gd source (DP3, Lunar Radiation Corporation). Measurements were made on phantoms and lumbar spines of patients to study accuracy, precision, limitations, and compatibility of results between instruments. Both instruments measure bone mineral of integral bone in terms of area bone density with an entrance exposure of less than 5 mR. For spinal bone mineral measurements, the DEXA instrument had a shorter scanning time and higher resolution images than the DPA system. The DEXA instrument also showed better precision in a spine phantom and reduced influence of thickness for patient measurement. For bone mineral content, accuracy was about equal for both instruments; for measurements of the area of the region of interest, accuracy was better with the DEXA instrument. With both instruments, fat had little effect on bone mineral density in bone phantom studies. Measurements on both instruments were influenced by the location of a bone phantom within the photon beam. Results in patients showed good correlation (r = 0.988) for bone mineral density. Measurements of bone mineral density in patients were consistently lower with the DEXA instrument because of better accuracy in area measurements. The new x-ray-based instrument is a major advance in bone mineral absorptiometry and provides improved, yet less expensive, measurements in research and clinical applications.

• Research Organization: Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6516055
• Journal Information: Mayo Clin., Proc.; (United States), Journal Name: Mayo Clin., Proc.; (United States) Vol. 63:11; ISSN MACPA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550602* -- Medicine-- External Radiation in Diagnostics-- (1980-)
62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
ABSORPTION SPECTRA
ACCURACY
ADIPOSE TISSUE
ANIMAL TISSUES
BODY
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
COMPUTERIZED TOMOGRAPHY
CONNECTIVE TISSUE
DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
EMISSION COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY
IMAGE PROCESSING
IONIZING RADIATIONS
MINERALS
MOCKUP
ORGANS
PATIENTS
PHANTOMS
PROCESSING
RADIATIONS
SKELETON
SPECTRA
SPECTROPHOTOMETRY
STRUCTURAL MODELS
TISSUES
TOMOGRAPHY
VERTEBRAE
X RADIATION