Pitfalls in the measurement of bone mineral density by the dual-energy X-ray absorptiometric method

Abstract

The authors describe two patients with unusual artifacts superimposed on the lumbar vertebrae on dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) spine images, especially on the lateral spine scans. In one patient, a contrast agent (barium sulfate) administered to obtain abdominal computed tomographic (CT) images was responsible for a pitfall during bone mineral density measurement. In the second patient, large calcified lesions within the liver and spleen located near the spine resulted in a false increase in bone mineral density (BMD) values.