An unusual cause of spinal bone loss detected by DXA scanning

H Davies; M W J Davie

doi:10.1007/s00198-012-1976-z

An unusual cause of spinal bone loss detected by DXA scanning

Osteoporos Int. 2013 Mar;24(3):1125-6. doi: 10.1007/s00198-012-1976-z. Epub 2012 Mar 30.

Authors

H Davies¹, M W J Davie

Affiliation

¹ Charles Salt Centre for Human Metabolism, Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Hospital, Oswestry, Shropshire, UK SY10 7AG.

PMID: 22461075
DOI: 10.1007/s00198-012-1976-z

Abstract

Routine DXA scanning in a 68-year-old asymptomatic man undergoing long-term bisphosphonate treatment for osteogenesis imperfecta showed unexplained loss of bone mineral density in two lumbar vertebrae. Subsequent radiographs revealed a 14-cm abdominal aortic aneurysm eroding the vertebrae. The importance of reviewing all the vertebrae in DXA scans is emphasized, and reasons for the absence of symptoms suggested.

Publication types

Case Reports

MeSH terms

Absorptiometry, Photon
Aged
Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / complications*
Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / diagnostic imaging
Bone Density / drug effects
Bone Density Conservation Agents / therapeutic use
Diphosphonates / therapeutic use
Humans
Lumbar Vertebrae / diagnostic imaging*
Male
Osteogenesis Imperfecta / complications*
Osteogenesis Imperfecta / drug therapy
Osteogenesis Imperfecta / physiopathology
Osteoporosis / diagnostic imaging
Osteoporosis / etiology*
Osteoporosis / physiopathology
Pamidronate

Substances

Bone Density Conservation Agents
Diphosphonates
Pamidronate