Bone Density Scans here and in Europe

[spotty14]

Does anyone know if Bone Density Scan machines used in the US and in Europe measure the bone density in the same way. Does Europe use the DEXA or Holograph scan or another type and are the test results comparable? Are there any machines out there that measure below L4? Since my T scores get increasingly worse the further down, I'm interested in knowing what the T score is before having surgery. One last question also does anyone know if it's possible to get a scan that distinguishes between old bone and new bone growth?

[Fortitudine]

Hi Spotty
I was asked to have a DEXA scan by Bertagnoli's clinic

[mmglobal]

Spotty,

In Germany, Bertagnoli sends people for CT based bone density testing. He thinks it's more accurate.

In Southern California, I've had a Dexa-Scan and have talked to several radiologists and techs about it. They say that the dexa-scan is more accurate. Just like everything else in spine... it all depends upon who you ask!

Bottom line is that either one works. I don't know the answer to your question about getting lower in the lumbar spine.

Mark

[ans]

I'm curious to know for those w/good bone scans or those w/very mild (yet "operable") ostopenia, how often is it when a they go in there and find the bone to be spongier than imaged. Moreso, when they find out this occurs, what alternative courses are there aside from fusion or closing you up.

Wonder how much cement/glue/whatever can compensate for minimal-very real bone sponginess - thus preventing migration and subsidence.

[Mariaa]

I wonder about this also as I have osteopenia in the lumbar spine and last t score was -2.2 which my PCP said wasn't bad except during menopause the rate of bone loss is much greater than before. This test was done last year so I'm told I have to wait another year to have retesting~

I just keep thinking what if going in reveals softer BD than what testing reveals~ and if so, what if anything can be utilized here to help prevent subsidence. Doesn't seem like the surgeons I've seen thought that would be an issue with my BMD results (tho I can't help but wonder after reading about some women that had surgery done by Dr.Bertagnoli and vertebroplasty).

[spotty14]

I was also thinking that even if my bone density get improved to I can have surgery, then it would need to remain good so the ADR doesn't cause slippage later on.

[ans]

That's where the cement question comes in I guess.

[Mariaa]

Yes, I'm thinking that the people attending the NYC spine conf. will be able to ask about vertebroplasty in the US if anyone is interested in this topic as we are~

[ans]

Because of the disc's imprint and specific load-bearing, I wonder how/if any European retrospective studies at various levels in "cementing" have been done.

http://tinyurl.com/abunm

[Harrison]

You folks may have seen this....

Second Q & A Column is Here
Our latest Q & A column features Dr. Willem Zeegers, a pioneer in the field of arthroplasty and one of the most experienced spine doctors in world. We sifted through some of the tricky questions the patient community had on bone density testing.

http://www.adrsupport.org/content.asp?cid=198

Perhaps we have some follow up questions!