Radiographic Contrast

 

There is barium seen on the lumbar spine DXA scan image.

There is barium in the lumbar spine scan. Notice that the edge detection is confounded by the barium present.

Case Description:

These images show barium on Hologic lumbar spine scans. In both cases, the scans would need to be repeated when the contrast is no longer present because it is difficult to tell at which levels there is barium present.

Credit:

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

References:

• Sala, A., et al., Effect of diagnostic radioisotopes and radiographic contrast media on measurements of lumbar spine bone mineral density and body composition by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. J Clin Densitom, 2006. 9(1): p. 91-6.
• Spencer, R.P., D.M. Malcolm, and P.A. Barton, Totem pole sign. Bone densitometry study with retained barium. Clin Nucl Med, 1991. 16(8): p. 596.