loss of height

Etiology

• vertebral compression fracture
• degenerative disc disease
• scoliosis
• kyphosis
• malignancy
  • vertebral metatastases
  • multiple myeloma
• spinal infections
  • spondylodiscitis

Clinical manifestations

• people generally lose about 1 cm every 10 years after age 40;
  • the loss is even greater after 70 years of age
  • in total, 1-3 inches may be lost
• loss of height varies with
  • physical activity
  • diet
  • osteoporosis

Radiology

• dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) of the vertebrae
  • osteoporosis*
• magnetic resonance imaging of spine
  • osteoporosis
  • vertebral compression fracture
  • vertebral metatastases
  • spinal infections
• X-ray of spine
  • scoliosis, kyphosis, vertebral compression fracture

* DEXA scan is the Gold standard for diagnosing osteoporosis & assessing fracture risk

• there is little evidence that DEXA is superior to MRI (other than expense & lack of standard in clinical practice for diagnosing osteoporosis)

More general terms

• sign/symptom