Imaging in Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a prevalent metabolic bone disease in the western world, resulting in low trauma fractures and increased morbidity and mortality rates among sufferers. The article describes the common imaging required in the diagnosis and management of osteoporosis. It is important to include imaging within the patient pathway where vertebral fractures are suspected and to use additional imaging modalities such as MRI to aid differential diagnosis where the cause of the fracture is unclear. Radiographers and radiologists reporting imaging examinations may be the first clinicians to suspect the presence of osteoporosis and have a role in helping to ensure that these patients do not get missed so that appropriate treatment can be started. Ideally there should be locally-agreed pathways whereby such patients are automatically referred to the fracture liaison service, regardless of the original requester of the imaging investigation.