Bone density scanning also known as dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA, DEXA) or bone densitometry, is an enhanced form of x-ray that is used to measure bone mineral density (BMD).

Bone Density Scanning (DEXA) is often performed on the lower spine and hips to diagnose osteoporosis, which affects women after menopause but may also be found in men.

Osteoporosis involves a gradual loss of calcium, as well as structural changes, causing the bones to become thinner, more fragile and more likely to break.

Bone Density Scanning can be used also in tracking the effects of treatment for osteoporosis and other conditions that cause bone loss.

This screening can also be used to assess an individual's risk for developing fractures. The risk of fracture is determined by

• Age,
• Body weight,
• History of prior fracture,
• Family history of osteoporotic fractures and
• Life style issues such as cigarette smoking and excessive alcohol consumption

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• DO NOT take calcium supplements for at least 24 hours before your exam.
• You can eat normally on the day of the exam
• Wear loose, comfortable clothing BUT AVOID jewelry, zippers, belts or buttons made of metal, else you may be asked to remove some or all of your clothing and wear a gown during the exam. Any metal object might interfere with the x-ray images.
• Please notify the physician if there is any possibility that they are pregnant. Many imaging test are not performed during pregnancy so as not to expose the fetus to radiation.
• Notify the physician if you have recently had a barium examination or have been injected with a contrast material for CT scan or Nuclear Medicine scan. You may have to wait 10 to 14 days before undergoing a DEXA test.

This is a painless, quick and noninvasive test lasting up to 5 minutes and you do not have to drink any contrast. DXA bone densitometry is a simple, No anesthesia is required.

You will lie on a padded table.

To assess the spine, your legs will be supported on a padded box to flatten the pelvis and lower back (spine).

To assess the hip, your foot is placed in a brace that rotates the hip inward.

The detector (looks like an arm) passes slowly passed over the area to be imaged, generating images on the computer monitor. The test is usually completed within 10 minutes.

The DXA machine sends a thin, invisible beam of low dose x-rays with two distinct energy peaks through the bones being examined. One peak is absorbed mainly by soft tissue and the other by bone. The soft tissue amount can be subtracted from the total and what remains is a patient's bone mineral density.



Bone density testing is strongly recommended if you:
" Are a post-menopausal woman and not taking estrogen.
" Have a personal or maternal history of hip fracture or smoking.
" Are a post-menopausal woman who is tall (over 5 feet 7 inches) or thin (less than 125 pounds).
" Are a man with clinical conditions associated with bone loss.
" Use medications that are known to cause bone loss, including corticosteroids such as Prednisone, various anti-seizure medications such as Dilantin and certain and certain barbiturates, or high-dose thyroid replacement drugs.
" Have type 1 (formerly called juvenile or insulin-dependent) diabetes, liver disease, kidney disease or a family history of osteoporosis.
" Have high bone turnover, which shows up in the form of excessive collagen in urine samples.
" Have a thyroid condition, such as hyperthyroidism.
" Have a parathyroid condition, such as hyperparathyroidism.
" Have experienced a fracture after only mild trauma.
" Have had x-ray evidence of vertebral fracture or other signs of osteoporosis.