Bone Densitometry

Information

1. Women over 45 who:
   1. have taken HRT for a minimum of 18 months.
   2. cannot have HRT (e.g. recent thromboembolic disease familial hyperlipidaemia breast carcinoma in patient or first degree relative significant hypertension)
2. Women or men who:
   1. fractures under 75 without seemingly sufficient trauma. No need for BMD if very trivial injury causing fracture, make clinical diagnosis of osteoporosis.
   2. long term steroid treatment (including inhaled). Esp. asthmatics

Please see Services - Osteoporosis for more information on direct access bone densitometry services.

Special Points

1. If the BMD of an isolated vertebra is markedly different from the mean then consider osteo-blastic/clastic neoplasm or Pagets disease.

Document Information
Expiry Date: 11/04/04
Author: Dr Tom Kennedy
Organisation: Arrowe Park Hospital