Common Questions
What is the role of broadband ultrasound in the evaluation of osteoporosis?
Broadband ultrasound offers an alternative to DXA scan for measuring bone mineral density. It is less expensive and does not expose the patient to radiation. Studies suggest that ultrasound may become a viable alternative to DXA for screening for osteoporosis (1).
One study has shown that broadband ultrasound of the calcaneus of women with anorexia nervosa is highly correlated with DXA scans of the lumbar spine and hip, and therefore might be a viable alternative to DXA scanning for this population; however, DXA scan remains the standard of care in this population (2).
- Sahota, et al. A comparison of the longitudinal changes in quantitative ultrasound with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry: The four-year effects of hormone replacement therapy. Osteoporosis International 2000; 11: 52-58.
- Resch H, et al. Ultrasound and X-ray-based bone densitometry in patients with anorexia nervosa. Calcified Tissue International 2000; 66: 338-341.