Digital X-ray radiogrammetry explained

Digital X-ray radiogrammetry
Synonym:	DXR

Digital X-ray radiogrammetry is a method for measuring bone mineral density (BMD). Digital X-ray radiogrammetry is based on the old technique of radiogrammetry. In DXR, the cortical thickness of the three middle metacarpal bones of the hand is measured in a digital X-ray image. Through a geometrical operation the thickness is converted to bone mineral density. The BMD is corrected for porosity of the bone, estimated by a texture analysis performed on the cortical part of the bone.^{[1] [2]}

Like other technologies for estimating the bone mineral density, the outputs are an areal BMD value, a T-score and a Z-score for assessing osteoporosis and the risk of bone fracture.^[3]

Digital X-ray radiogrammetry is primarily used in combination with digital mammography for osteoporosis screening, where same mammography machine that is used to acquire breast X-ray images is also used to acquire a hand image for BMD measurement. Due to high precision, DXR is also used for monitoring change in bone mineral density over time.^[4]

See also

• Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry

Notes and References

1. Jorgensen. J. T.. Andersen. P. B.. Rosholm. A.. Bjarnason. N. Hannover. Digital X-ray radiogrammetry: a new appendicular bone densitometric method with high precision. Clinical Physiology. September 2000. 20. 5. 330–335. 10.1046/j.1365-2281.2000.00268.x. 10971543.
2. Böttcher. J.. Pfeil. A.. Rosholm. A.. Petrovitch. A.. Seidl. B. E.. Malich. A.. Schäfer. M. L.. Kramer. A.. Mentzel. H. J.. Lehmann. G.. Hein. G.. Kaiser. W. A.. Digital x-ray radiogrammetry combined with semiautomated analysis of joint space widths as a new diagnostic approach in rheumatoid arthritis: A cross-sectional and longitudinal study. Arthritis & Rheumatism. December 2005. 52. 12. 3850–3859. 10.1002/art.21606. 16320332.
3. Rosholm. A.. Hyldstrup. L.. Bæksgaard. L.. Grunkin. M.. Thodberg. H. H.. Estimation of Bone Mineral Density by Digital X-ray Radiogrammetry: Theoretical Background and Clinical Testing. Osteoporosis International. 1 November 2001. 12. 11. 961–969. 10.1007/s001980170026. 11804024. 23451120.
4. Friis. M. Digital X-ray Radiogrammetry on Hand X-rays Obtained on Mammographic X-ray Equipment. Bone. May 2001. 28. 5. S101–S248. 10.1016/S8756-3282(01)00454-9.