Vertebral Fracture Assessment (VFA)
The Vertebral Fracture Assessment (VFA) It is the "jewel in the crown" in the identification of fractures in patients with osteoporosis, as it allows confirming and classifying the presence of fractures over time. The study consists of the digital measurement of 6 points for each vertebral body (from the 4th thoracic vertebra / T4 to the 4th lumbar vertebra / L4). Each of them is traced to the anterior, middle and posterior point and classified (Genant & cols semiquantitative classification) as a biconcave, wedge or crush fracture in terms of its severity (mild, medium and severe). With this, the presence of Osteoporosis is confirmed and the degree of vertebral deterioration of the patient is reported to the doctor / patient.
The VFA not only serves as a diagnostic means for the confirmation of vertebral fractures and their type, but also as a confirmation of the diagnosis of osteoporosis (since in patients with apparent lumbar "osteopenia", the VFA has more diagnostic weight for patient classification. (If in VFA the patient has 1 or more fractures, the Osteopenia diagnosis automatically changes to Osteoporosis).
The VFA should be performed as a routine study in ALL patients with osteoporosis to rule out established fractures (especially in those with a decrease of more than 3 cm in height in relation to their historical maximum). The VFA should be done prospectively every 1 or 2 years in order to identify the appearance of new fractures (since this should change the medical approach).
The VFA constitutes the most advanced and reliable study for the diagnosis and classification of vertebral fractures that condition the deterioration of my quality of life, therefore the ISCD, NOF and IOF suggest its performance in ALL patients with a diagnosis of Osteoporosis and in those patients with Osteopenia and a decrease in height greater than 3 cm with respect to our maximum historical height.
We are the only institution in Mexico that performs Vertebral Fracture Assessment (VFA) at a private level.
Evaluation of Vertebral Fractures in Anteroposterior and Lateral planes (AP and Lateral: T4 to L4) $ 3,500. (Mexican pesos)
Official: $ 4,000.
