Despite radiation exposure and fracture risk, pricey QCT bone density scans are rising in popularity

MedPage Today reported April 13 that quantitative computed tomography (QCT) bone density scans for osteoporosis screening are on the rise, in spite of their high costs and potentially questionable accuracy. 

“Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) has long been the gold standard for osteoporosis screening. But now, thousands of patients may be inappropriately undergoing bone mineral density studies via quantitative computed tomography — which may be less accurate and more expensive, with far higher radiation exposure,” author Cheryl Clark writes. 

In examining possible reasons behind the rise in QCT orders — of which nearly half come from just four states — the article notes that reimbursement rates for DXA were cut drastically in 2007 under the Deficit Reduction Act, and that some clinicians have decommissioned their DXA scanners since then.