Which bony landmarks are essential to position for a scan of the proximal femur?

• A. Medial malleolus and femoral head
• B. Trochanter and tibial tuberosity
• C. Pubic bone and lesser trochanter
• D. Ischial tuberosity and greater trochanter

Answer: (C)

For a bone densitometry scan of the proximal femur, it is crucial to accurately position the patient to obtain reliable and valid results. The proximal femur is primarily assessed for its risk of fracture and overall mineral density. The lesser trochanter serves as an important landmark because it provides a reference point for the alignment of the iliac crest and the femoral neck when performing the scan. Proper positioning in relation to the lesser trochanter ensures that the scan encompasses the areas of interest within the proximal femur, including the femoral neck and intertrochanteric regions.

Although other landmarks may not be as directly relevant to positioning for this particular scan, the inclusion of the pubic bone helps to define the orientation of the hips. Ensuring the correct positioning with respect to these landmarks allows for comprehensive assessment while minimizing variability in the results, which is essential in clinical practice to accurately evaluate bone density and fracture risk.

Accurate identification and alignment with these landmarks enhance the quality of the scan, thereby improving diagnostic accuracy.