[DEXA (dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry) and DPA (dual photon absorptiometry) in densitometry of the femoral neck: correlation of the measurements of three commercially available instruments].

The bone mineral density measurements of three different instruments at the femoral head were compared using 12 cadaver specimens. Two of these instruments were operated by x-rays (dual energy x-ray absorptiometry = DEXA), whereas one system was based on a gadolinium source (dual photon absorptiometry = DPA). Although excellent correlation between the measurements was obtained (r greater than 0,9), the measurements of one of the DEXA-instruments were significantly higher than the measurements of the two other systems. We conclude that a comparison of bone mineral density measurements obtained on different densitometry instruments may pose problems. Follow-up examinations should be done on one single densitometry unit.