[Role of photon absorption densitometry of the bone in uremic osteodystrophy]

The aim of this investigation is to evaluate the role of bone photonic densitometry in uremic osteodystrophy. Bone mineral content (BMC) and bone density (BD) have been measured in 80 hemodialyzed patients by double photonic emission densitometry. Photonic densitometry shows an higher sensibility to quantitative changes in bone mineral content than metacarpal index (IM). Photonic densitometry is unable to differentiate osteoporosis from osteomalacia; this differential diagnosis can be obtained by radiological analysis: low BD and low IM means osteoporosis, low BD and resorptive changes in cortical bone means osteomalacia and/or hyperparathyroidism. Photonic densitometry is particularly suitable for uremic osteodystrophy follow-up because of its easy repetitiveness and innocuousness and for its close correlation with iPTH variations.