Quantitative CT to assess bone mineral density as a diagnostic tool for osteoporosis and related fractures

Osteoporosis is the most common metabolic bone disorder. It is defined as “a skeletal disease, characterized by low bone mass and microarchitectural deterioration of bone tissue, with a consequent increase in bone fragility and susceptibility to fracture” [1]. Bone is a highly metabolic tissue, incorporating multiple functions such as stabilization of the body, protection of the inner organs and calcium storage. It constantly remodels. In young individuals, bone formation exceeds bone resorption, until the peak bone mass is reached around the age of 30-35 years. In the elderly, with decreasing levels of estrogen and testosterone, bone resorption exceeds bone formation; thus, bone mass in any older individual is determined by peak bone mass and amount of bone loss [2].