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Radiography in Osteoporosis

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Osteoporosis and Bone Densitometry Measurements

Part of the book series: Medical Radiology ((Med Radiol Diagn Imaging))

Abstract

The pathological changes of osteoporosis are due to resorption of the cortical and trabecular bone. The main radiographic findings include changes in the trabecular pattern, cortical thinning, and decreased bone density which are more prominent in the axial skeleton. Although the most common cause is primary osteoporosis, one has to be aware of the secondary causes as well. Conventional radiography helps in evaluating the secondary causes of osteoporosis, to confirm or rule out fractures and to diagnose concomitant or predisposing conditions. However, radiographs have certain limitations. Radiography only helps in qualitative assessment and cannot be considered as a tool for quantitative assessment. This chapter aims to review the radio-pathological changes and various causes of osteoporosis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital Alexandra Health, 90 Yishun Central, Singapore, 768228, Republic of Singapore

    Sivasubramanian Srinivasan & Wilfred C. G. Peh

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  1. Sivasubramanian Srinivasan
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  2. Wilfred C. G. Peh
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Correspondence to Wilfred C. G. Peh .

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  1. , Department of Radiology, University of Foggia, Viale Luigi Pinto 1, Foggia, 71100, Italy

    Giuseppe Guglielmi

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Srinivasan, S., Peh, W.C.G. (2013). Radiography in Osteoporosis. In: Guglielmi, G. (eds) Osteoporosis and Bone Densitometry Measurements. Medical Radiology(). Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/174_2012_728

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/174_2012_728

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