Biblioteca Virtual en Salud

As a technology, bone densitometry is reallyquite extraordinary. The ability to quantify the density of thebones at a variety of skeletal sites has truly revolutionized theapproach to a number of diseases, the most important of which isosteoporosis. Using the information from the machines, especiallydual-energy X ray absortiometry (DXA) technology, physicians canrecommend and prescribe interventions that will slow bone loss andreduce the risk of disabling fractures. The remarkable advances inskeletal imaging with densitometry devices have made possiblequantitative and diagnostic assessments of skeletal structure.However it is in fact the skill and concern of the technologistthat enables all of this to happen.ÿ In this updated andexpanded third edition of their gold standard and highly praisedBone Densitometry for Technologists, Sydney Lou Bonnick, MD, FACP,and Lori Ann Lewis, MRT, CDT, again offer the most comprehensivereview of the standards and developments in the field.ÿ Hereradiologic technologists, nurse practitioners, physicianassistants, and dedicated densitometry technologists can find notonly the state-of-the-art guidelines for bone density testing, butalso a wide range of other topics, including several newchapters.ÿ These include a new chapter on the performance ofDXA lumbar spine, proximal femur and forearm studies; one on UsingAbsolute Risk to Predict Fracture Risk in Clinical Practice; andanother providing examples of highly instructional DXA images inwhich artifacts or structural changes can be seen.ÿ There are2 new appendices and the other 10 appendices from the previousedition have been updated wherever necessary to reflect the mostcurrent information available.ÿ In Appendix XII, the contentsof the accompanying CD-ROM are reviewed. On this CD, readers willfind the Precision Calculator Companion that was first includedwith the 2nd edition of Dr. Bonnick's title, Bone Densitometry inClinical Practice.ÿ Questionnaires designed to captureessential information to utilize FRAX for both men and women arealso included on the CD. These questionnaires can be persomalizedto better suit a practice's needs. Finally, a continuing educationreview is also found on the CD, which, if successfully completed,will result in the awarding ofÿ 16 hours of Category A creditacceptable to the American Society of RadiologicTechnologists.