Evaluation of Vertebral Fractures on Lateral Chest Radiographs of Inner-City Postmenopausal Women

Abstract

We assessed the prevalence of vertebral fractures as a marker for osteoporosis on lateral chest radiographs in inner-city, minority, postmenopausal women. We reviewed outpatient lateral chest radiographs on all women 55 years and older at an inner-city hospital during two randomly selected months, August 2000 and April 2002. There were 106 women with a mean age of 65 (range 55-89) years, 45 were Hispanic, 42 Black, 9 White, 10 of other ethnicity. Deformity was graded on a 0-3 scale with Grades 2 (moderate) and 3 (severe) deformities considered fractures. Interval lateral chest radiographs within 1-2 years were evaluated. Of the group 25% (26/106) had vertebral fractures. The fracture prevalence increased with age: 13% (17/54) of women under 65 years and 37% (19/52) of women 65 years and older had fractures ( P < 0.05). The fracture was described as part of the radiographic report in only 15% (4/26) of the women. Of the group 15% (16/106) had interval lateral chest radiographs. Among those with interval lateral chest radiographs, 19% (3/16) developed new fractures. In this series 29% (31/106) of women were scheduled for bone density studies, but the studies were only completed in 6% (6/106). Lateral chest radiographs showed that vertebral fractures occurred commonly, increased with age, and progressed on follow-up. In a population of underserved minority women, the lateral chest radiograph provides an opportunity to identify women with osteoporosis for possible treatment.

Significance of sagittal reformations in routine thoracic and abdominal multislice CT studies for detecting osteoporotic fractures and other spine abnormalities

“…The prevalence rate of 24% for spine fractures found in this study is in the range compared to that found in previous studies involving Caucasian women of similar age groups (14-25%) [2,[12][13][14]. Of note, however, the presented prevalence of 24% included grade I fractures, and other studies also considering mild deformities revealed a higher prevalence of osteoporotic spine fractures (25-33%) [15][16][17].…”

“…In a 60-year-old postmenopausal woman, this is the case for a BMD T-score of less than -4 without vertebral fractures, or if two or more insufficiency fractures are present, regardless the BMD. Unfortunately, several studies demonstrated that there is a poor reporting rate of vertebral fractures by radiologists [1,2,12,22]. In our study none of the osteoporotic deformities were mentioned in the official radiology report.…”

Kompresinių Stuburo Slankstelių Lūžių Klinikiniai Ir Radiologiniai Ypatumai Bei Jų Sąsajos Su Rizikos Veiksniais Moterims Pomenopauziniu Periodu

“…Objektyvios apžiūros metu maždaug trečdaliui (12 (36,4 proc.)) moterų buvo skausminga palpacija stuburo slankstelių projekcijoje bei nustatytas priestuburinių raumenų skausmas ir vietinis tonuso padidėjimas (9 (27,3 proc.)). Daugiau nei pusė tiriamųjų sirgo lėtinėmis širdies ir kraujagyslių ligomis 18 (54,5 proc.…”

“…Mūsų tyrime stuburo slankstelių lūžius patyrusių moterų grupėje taip pat nustatytas didesnis KMI vidurkis (27,42 kg/m 2 ), kuris klinikinėje praktikoje vertintinas kaip nutukimas. Nors kuo didesnis kūno masės indeksas, tuo didesnis kaulų mineralų tankis buvo konstatuotas, tačiau šių parametrų ryšys su slankstelių lūžių skaičiumi nenustatytas.…”

“…Panaši dalis tokių lūžių -apie 55 proc. -radiologiškai lieka nediagnozuota vertinant krūtinės ląstos šonines rentgenogramas [25,27,28].…”