Comparison of single- and dual-energy quantitative computed tomography for therapy control under antiosteoporotic treatment.

Lumbar spine bone mineral density was determined in 50 female patients (mean age: 55.4 +/- 12.3 years), who were treated because of osteoporosis or osteopenia. Bone mineral density was assessed using single-energy QCT with 80 and 120 kV tube voltage and with dual-energy QCT. Compared to single-energy QCT, dual-energy QCT showed much higher variability of the bone density values obtained. Therefore we conclude that single energy QCT is a method that allows precise and reproducible determination of spinal bone mineral content under clinical conditions which cannot be further improved by the use of dual-energy QCT.