Sclerotic Bone Changes on Densitometry Testing in a Patient with a Remote History of Breast Cancer

Abstract

Bone mineral densitometry testing is commonly performed to screen for postmenopausal osteoporosis or to assess response to osteoporosis treatment. The World Health Organization proposed criteria in 1994 for assessing bone mineral density (BMD) with defined parameters for normal bone density, osteopenia, and osteoporosis (1). The current World Health Organization criteria do not address elevated BMD values. Although rare, numerous bone disorders can result in high bone mass (2). Whyte suggests that BMD Z-scores above +2.5 should be flagged as elevated values and prompt further clinical evaluation (3).