How does this work?

Benny · Guest

Can someone explain how bone densitometry works?

Duality · Joined: 22 May 2006 Posts: 25

I tihnk it is just looking at your bone structure through the use of Radioactive method for diseases and other things.

hjhogle · Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2007 10:50 pm Post subject:

Try the same search I did ... I used MSN Search on 'bone densitometry' and came up with more than a half dozen appropriate results, including -

http://www.iscd.org/ The International Society for Clinical Densitometry and
http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=dexa The ACR/RSNA site for bone densitometry.

Search engines ... can't beat 'em.

rebadams45 · Joined: 30 Dec 2008 Posts: 4 Location: Houston, Texas

Bone Densitometry is a special modality which uses two distinct energies out of the x-ray beam. This is why the modality is known as DEXA-Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry. As the technology progressed we removed the "E" from the acronym and became DXA. The dual beam passes through the anatomy we are evaluating and measures the hardness of the bone in the area. The system software can be told to look at either the bone or the soft tissue in the area evaluated. DXA offers one of the most sensitive methods of measuring body fat in addition to bone. We typically study the lumbar spine and the proximal femur as these are considered weightbearing areas and can fracture under the body weight of the patient. Many believe this examination to be quite easy to do. It is not a difficult process but where the savvy comes in is to be able to develop precision in your measurements. This means you must prepare the patient appropriately, position the anatomy and analyze the data exactly the same each time you evaluate your patient. Any error in the above steps will lead a physican to believe bone mass has increased or decreased in a patient incorrectly. A well trained DXA tech is the strongest link in the chain of patient evaluation. A well trained, precise tech paired with a properly trained physician offer the patient the ultimate team in osteoporosis evaluation.

Happy Holidays, Rebecca
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Rebecca Adams, R.T., R, CV, BD, CBDT