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* Opportunistic use of computed tomography (CT) allows assessment of bone status from studies obtained for other purposes. * The linear x-ray attenuation coefficient is known as the Hounsfield unit (HU). * HU values can be determined for any region of interest using standard imaging software. * HU values strongly correlate with bone mineral density. * A threshold of <135 HU for the L1 vertebral body indicates a risk for osteoporosis. * HU values have been used to assess other bone regions, including the wrist, proximal and distal end of the femur, and sacrum, to predict future fracture and the presence of osteoporosis. * Opportunistic use of CT aids in the identification of patients who are not otherwise suspected to be at risk for osteoporosis.
Anderson et al. (Wed,) studied this question.