(DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING) – Radiologists should use threshold values on CT, a simple measure to detect osteoporosis when reading thoracic or abdominal CT scans. Radiologists can then refer to orthopedic specialists for follow-up with positive findings.
Opportunistic computed tomography (CT) screening of osteoporosis on CT of thoracic and lumbar spine showed “reasonable” pooled sensitivity and specificity when using specific Hounsfield unit (HU) values as a threshold, according to a meta-analysis published recently in Clinical Imaging.
“We recommend radiologists use this simple measure to detect possible osteoporosis when reading chest or abdominal CT scans and refer to orthopedic specialists for follow-up with positive findings,” said Claudia Henschke, MD, PhD., of the Mount Sinai School of Medicine Department of Radiology and in New York City.
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