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Scanning Skeletal Remains for Bone Mineral Density in Forensic Contexts
Published on: January 29, 2018
Increased Bone Mineral Density in Cervical or Thoracic Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis (DISH): A
Seil Sohn1, Chun Kee Chung2, Inbo Han3
1Department of Neurosurgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Neuroscience Research Institute, Seoul National University Medical Research Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Clinical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Department of Neurosurgery, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University, Suwon, Republic of Korea.
Patients with diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) show higher bone mineral density (BMD) and lower osteoporosis rates compared to controls. Lumbar spine BMD positively correlates with the extent of spinal DISH.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Rheumatology
- Radiology
Background:
- Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) is a non-inflammatory spinal condition.
- The relationship between DISH and bone mineral density (BMD) remains incompletely understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare BMD in patients with cervical or thoracic DISH versus a matched control group.
- To investigate osteoporosis prevalence and the correlation between BMD and spinal DISH extent.
Main Methods:
- Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was used to measure BMD in 65 DISH patients and matched controls.
- BMD was assessed at the lumbar spine (L1-L4), femur neck, and femur total areas.
- Correlation analysis was performed between BMD and the number of spine levels affected by DISH.
Main Results:
- BMD was significantly higher in the DISH group at the lumbar spine and femur neck compared to controls (p < 0.01).
- Osteopenia and osteoporosis rates were lower in the DISH group (p=0.05 for lumbar spine).
- A positive correlation was found between lumbar spine BMD and the number of affected spine levels (p=0.04).
Conclusions:
- Patients with DISH exhibit higher BMD, particularly in the lumbar spine and femur neck.
- DISH is associated with a reduced prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis.
- Lumbar spine BMD is positively correlated with the extent of spinal involvement in DISH.
