One of the principal uses of
DXA (dual xray absorbtion) bone densitometry
is the investigation of bone mineral density
depletion due to the common disorder osteoporosis.
This complaint affects almost half of all post
menopausal women (the highest risk group for
osteoporosis) and causes progressive bone loss
increasing the risk of fracture.
Accurate evaluation of this disease
is now possible due to the availability of
new and improved equipment to measure bone
density. Using a bone densitometer, doctors
can measure patient bone density, follow it
over time and compare it to average values
for the patients sex, age and ethnic origin.
If the patient's bone density is lower than
average, or decreases at an abnormally fast
rate, the patient may be at risk for osteoporosis.
Through changes in diet, exercise
habits and/or medication, further deterioration
of bone can be prevented.
Prior to the advent dedicated
bone densitometry equipment, evaluating bone
density using conventional x-ray systems did
not reveal a potential problem until a patient
had lost 25-30 percent of the bone density.
Now, with short scanning times and low x ray
doses, this highly sensitive equipment can
help identify risk at a much earlier stage.
It can also evaluate response to treatment,
proving that therapy is effective.
Is a DXA bone density scan
the same as a bone scan?
No, although the two procedures
sound similar they are very different techniques
used for different purposes. A bone scan is
a nuclear medicine study (using injections
of an isotope) used to look for cancer, stress
fractures, and other bone or joint problems.
It does not measure bone density and is not
used to diagnose osteoporosis.
What actually happens during
the scan?
Bone densitometry is a painless,
non-invasive test. You will be asked to lie
still on a padded
examination couch, and will be able to breathe
normally. The study lasts only a few minutes
as the arm of the scanner passes over you.
The x-ray dose you will be exposed to is extremely
low, little more than you would expect to receive
on a long aeroplane flight.
For further details about our
bone densitometry facilities, please click
here.
To watch a video about Bone Densitometry
please click the links Below
