[Radiologic differentiation between pathologic osteoporosis and bone atrophy due to age (author's transl)].

Loss of architecture within the femoral neck due to ageing follows a distinct pattern. This may serve as an index of physiologic ageing of bone. In pathologic osteoporosis (e.g. Cushing's disease, thyreotoxicosis and idiopathic osteoporosis) this systematic reduction of trabecular structure cannot be seen in the femoral neck although the vertebral bodies show all the signs of severe osteoporosis. Radiographic comparison between the proximal end of femur and the spine may, therefore, serve as a useful means of differentiation between pathologic and age-osteoporosis.