Myth 4: I cannot measure the hip with QCT

QCT measurements at the hip got FDA clearance for clinical use in 2001. The QCT measurement of BMD at the hip is made in a way that produces a measurement and T-Score equivalent to DXA. A pelvic scan from the top of the femoral head to just below the lesser trochanter is used. The orientation of the proximal femur may be adjusted on screen by the operator for reproducible results. An automatic 2D ROI is then located at the femoral neck and used to compute a DXA-equivalent areal BMD measure. An areal BMD T-score at the femoral neck is used by the WHO for the definition of osteoporosis and so measurement at the hip is becoming standard of care. This T-Score may also be used for fracture risk probability calculation in the WHO FRAX® tool.