What is a common problem that can occur with a proximal femur scan?

What is a common problem that can occur with a proximal femur scan?

• A. Under-rotation of the femur
• B. Starting too high at the greater trochanter
• C. Over-rotation of the femur and starting too low at the lesser trochanter
• D. Incorrect positioning of the foot device

Answer: (C)

A common problem with proximal femur scans occurs due to the misalignment of the femur during the procedure. When there is over-rotation of the femur, it can lead to inaccurate measurements of bone mineral density (BMD), as the scan may not capture the entire femoral neck region correctly. Additionally, if the scan starts too low at the lesser trochanter, essential anatomy such as the neck of the femur and the greater trochanter may not be evaluated adequately, resulting in incomplete data and potential misdiagnosis. Proper positioning is critical in enhancing the accuracy of the scan, ensuring that the regions of interest are fully captured while minimizing artifacts that could result from poor alignment. This accuracy is crucial for assessing fracture risk, informing treatment plans, and monitoring changes in bone density over time.

A common problem with proximal femur scans occurs due to the misalignment of the femur during the procedure. When there is over-rotation of the femur, it can lead to inaccurate measurements of bone mineral density (BMD), as the scan may not capture the entire femoral neck region correctly. Additionally, if the scan starts too low at the lesser trochanter, essential anatomy such as the neck of the femur and the greater trochanter may not be evaluated adequately, resulting in incomplete data and potential misdiagnosis.

Proper positioning is critical in enhancing the accuracy of the scan, ensuring that the regions of interest are fully captured while minimizing artifacts that could result from poor alignment. This accuracy is crucial for assessing fracture risk, informing treatment plans, and monitoring changes in bone density over time.