Belt

 

There is an artifact across L4 on this Hologic lumbar spine image. L4 would be omitted from analysis because of the presence of the artifact over bone. Part of standard operating procedures in a DXA facility is to make sure that external artifacts are removed before scanning. At our institution we have a DXA communication sheet that the technologist fills out to explain scanning issues to the reading physician and in this case they explained that the patient declined to remove the external artifact.

Case Description:

The artifact across L4 was a beaded belt that the patient would not remove. Since the artifact overlies bone, L4 was removed from analysis.

Credit:

Sarah L Morgan, MD, RD, CCD, The University of Alabama at Birmingham

References:

• Martineau, P., S. Bazarjani, and L.S. Zuckier, Artifacts and Incidental Findings Encountered on Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry: Atlas and Analysis. Semin Nucl Med, 2015. 45(5): p. 458-69.
• Bazzocchi, A., et al., Incidental findings with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry: spectrum of possible diagnoses. Calcif Tissue Int, 2012. 91(2): p. 149-56.
• Bojinca, V., D. Opris, and M. Bonjinca, Artifacts and pitfalls in DXA scan images and interpretation. J Clin Densitom, 2012. 15(4): p. 486-487.