Artifacts affecting dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and bone mineral density measurements: a case report and review of the literature

TL;DR

This paper discusses how artifacts in dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scans can affect bone mineral density measurements and lead to misdiagnosis.

Contribution

The paper presents three case studies highlighting specific artifacts that alter bone mineral density measurements.

Findings

Oral contrast in the transverse colon can affect bone mineral density measurements.

Kyphoplasty in the lumbar spine can alter bone mineral density readings.

Spinal fusion with vertebroplasty impacts bone mineral density measurements.

Abstract

It is important to recognize artifacts of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry because they may alter bone mineral density measurements. To prevent erroneous decisions and misdiagnosis regarding treatment and follow-up, bone mineral density measurement adjustments are needed.

We present three cases in which artifacts altered the measurements of bone mineral density in the lumbar field of a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scan. The first case was oral contrast in the transverse colon in a 55-year-old white Hispanic American woman; the second case was kyphoplasty in lumbar spine in a 73-year-old white Hispanic American woman; and the third case was spinal fusion with vertebroplasty in a 70-year-old white European American man.

Clinicians who interpret dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry imaging should routinely reexamine the scans and be attentive toward potential artifact involvement and other alternative origins of unreliable data.

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