CHICAGO- In a recent study more than 40% of postmenopausal women with normal bone density were found to have a spine fracture using a new imaging technique. The presence of an existing fracture, even with normal bone density, dramatically increases the risk for future fractures and is a strong indication for osteoporosis treatment.
Osteoporosis affects over 30 million people in the U.S. Hip fractures, the most serious consequence of osteoporosis, occur in 1 out of 6 women. Half of hip fracture patients never fully recover from their fracture, often requiring long-term nursing home care. Up to 24% of hip fracture patients die within a year of the fracture.
“Women with a spine fracture have as much as a 10-fold increased risk of future fracture when compared to non-fracture women at the same bone density,” said Patrick K. Burke, MD, Director of the Osteoporosis Diagnostic and Treatment Program. “High-resolution radiographs are the optimal choice for fracture determination, but are not always easily available. We’ve found dual-energy LVA to be a convenient and rapid alternative to a spine x-ray. The dual-energy image is easier to read than single-energy scans, and it can be combined with a bone density exam.”
The Lunar Prodigy bone densitometer from GE Medical Systems was used for Lateral Vertebral Assessment (LVA) and the measurement of bone density at Dr. Burke’s clinic in Richmond VA. Among 231 women presenting for bone density testing, 170 had bone density above the osteoporotic threshold. However, more than 40% of these women had at least one vertebral fracture based on the LVA image. LVA acquires a single view of the lumbar and thoracic vertebral column (typically L4-T4) using a high-definition, dual-energy technique.
“With just one acquisition we provide both single-energy and dual-energy images to the physician”, explained Ken Faulkner, Ph.D., Chief Scientist of GE Medical Systems. “The dual-energy image allows subtraction of soft-tissue artifacts and easier visualization of vertebrae in the upper thoracic region.” Physicians can use the LVA image to identify and grade deformations visually, or they can use computer measurement tools to quantify any deformities.
About GE Medical Systems
GE Medical Systems is an $8 billion global leader in medical information and technology. Its offerings include networking and productivity tools, clinical information systems, patient monitoring systems, conventional and digital X-ray, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance (MR), ultrasound and bone densitometry, positron emission tomography (PET), and nuclear medicine. For more than 100 years, health care providers worldwide have relied on GE Medical Systems for high-quality medical technology, services, and productivity solutions. For more information, visit the GE Medical Systems Web site at gemedical.com.
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