Pediatric bone densitometry

Abstract

Bone densitometry is an established diagnostic tool in adults to assess bone quantity and to stratify patients and healthy individuals for the prevention of bone fracture. It has become a powerful tool in monitoring diseases and treatments that have an impact on bone metabolism, such as primary osteoporosis or drug-induced secondary osteoporosis. Although there are several techniques to assess bone density (eg, radiogrammetry, dual x-ray absorptiometry [DXA], quantitative CT, and quantitative ultrasound), the most widely used technique is DXA.