Abstract
Bone densitometry has become an integral part of clinical practice, particularly in the evaluation and management of patients with osteoporosis. Several techniques are available but dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry is the predominant technology. Guidelines from medical organizations for testing and pharmacologic intervention based on densitometry results have been published. Although the number of diseases in which bone densitometry plays a role continues to increase, major applications remain the diagnosis of osteoporosis, prediction of fracture risk, and monitoring of therapeutic efficacy of bone active agents. Spine imaging is possible with newer dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry devices for the determination of structural deformities like vertebral fracture.