[Computerized tomography determination of bone mineral content in quantitative diagnosis of osteoporosis]

Quantitative determination of bone mineral content has become important for the early diagnosis of osteoporosis prior to radiological evidence of vertebral deformities. Quantitative CT (QCT, computer tomometry), whether the single-energy (SE-QCT) or the dual-energy (DE-QCT) technique is used, yields volume-related values that can be used for accurate and reproducible assessment of spongious and cortical vertebral bone mineral. QCT seems to be superior to photon absorptiometry for early detection and follow-up of osteoporosis.