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Updated: Jul 6, 2026

Semiautomated Longitudinal Microcomputed Tomography-based Quantitative Structural Analysis of a Nude Rat Osteoporosis-related Vertebral Fracture Model
07:12

Semiautomated Longitudinal Microcomputed Tomography-based Quantitative Structural Analysis of a Nude Rat Osteoporosis-related Vertebral Fracture Model

Published on: September 28, 2017

Computer-based screening of chest X-rays for vertebral compression fractures as an osteoporosis index in men

Yuichiro Nakai1, Robert Noth, Jason Wexler

  • 1Department of Medicine, University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA.

Bone
|April 9, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Many older male veterans with vertebral fractures on chest X-rays (CXRs) show unrecognized osteoporosis. Computerized screening of CXR reports can help identify at-risk men for further fractures.

Area of Science:

  • Geriatric Medicine
  • Radiology
  • Bone Health

Background:

  • Osteoporosis is a significant health concern, particularly in aging populations.
  • Vertebral fractures are common indicators of osteoporosis but often go unrecognized.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the recognition of osteoporosis in male veterans using chest X-ray (CXR) reports.
  • To identify unrecognized vertebral fractures suggestive of osteoporosis in men aged 50 and older.

Main Methods:

  • Computer-based review of 26,994 CXR reports from January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2001.
  • Searched for terms 'compression' or 'wedg' in reports for 18,069 patients.
  • Analyzed medical records of men aged 50+ with suggestive fracture findings.

Main Results:

  • 780 CXR reports (3.5%) in 664 men (4.5%) suggested osteoporosis.
  • Three years later, only 25% of these men had documented provider recognition of the abnormality.
  • Among survivors, 20% were diagnosed with osteoporosis, 15% had a DXA scan, and 18% received bisphosphonates.

Conclusions:

  • A substantial proportion of older male veterans with vertebral fractures on CXRs have unrecognized osteoporosis.
  • Computerized screening of CXR reports is a potential strategy to identify at-risk individuals.
  • Early identification can aid clinicians in preventing further debilitating fractures.

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