Virtual Colonoscopy can do more than assess a patient's risk for colon cancer; it can also be used as a screening tool for osteoporosis.

Researchers studied 35 patients who underwent virtual colonoscopy and traditional bone mineral density tests.

By applying a different software application to the virtual colonoscopy images, the researchers were able to create a 3-D image of the spine.

They found the virtual colonoscopy images were nearly identical to the traditional spine scans.

While experts say traditional bone scans are still the gold standard, the virtual colonoscopy images may be an additional screening tool for osteoporosis.