[Advances in DPX densitometry].

The author provides information on modern densitometric examinations and their development in the past three decades. He analyses in brief the possibilities of densitometry on the basis of the double x-ray absorptiometry on the basis of his own experience and data gained from literature. The current standard software equipment includes the measurement of the lumbal PA projection, lumbal lateral, coxae PA and entire body PA. The apparatus detects the quantity of minerals in bones in form of BMC (bone mineral content) and BMD (bone mineral density) values, and compares the measured values of density with the average values in the healthy population. It automatically evaluates statistical values of the Z and T score. The bone density can be measured with the accuracy of 3-5%, the error of reproducibility is 1-2%. The apparatus represents an ideal equipment for the measurement of bone density under normal anatomic conditions of the skeleton and in early stages of the disease which is manifestant by changes in bone tissue. As soon as the condition includes deformations of the skeleton and osteoproductive changes, especially osteochondrosis, spondylosis and the presence of osteophytes, the result becomes inaccurate. The study drafts the trend in densitometry in frame of therapeutic, preventive and research activities in orthopaedics. (Fig. 4, Ref. 16.)