What is the Purpose of Bone Densitometry?

Bone Densitometry also named ‘Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA)’, a scan yields the image of the inside of the bone and helps in defining the bone loss, using a small dose of ionizing radioactivity. DEXA is a humble, quick, and noninvasivenormal method for gauging bone mineral density (BMD), identifying osteoporosis and also notices the danger of developing osteoporotic fractures. DEXA is the best-standardized technique and the energiesshaped are small and less than a day’s contact to natural radiation. In this examination, the two X-ray beams produced by equipment made by Bone Densitometer Manufacturers are targeted at the bones, and the DEXA examination can notice 1 percent bone loss, this makes it more accurate and sensitive.

Purpose:

·         Osteoporosis is a disorder in which the bone becomes delicate, thinner, and structural fluctuations also occur in the bone that makes them delicate, and they are most likely to break. DEXA helps to identify osteoporosis, and this disorder mostly disturbs women after the age of 30 years, menopause, and it can also happen in children and men.

·         DEXA examinationdone on equipment made by Bone Densitometer Manufacturers helps to regulate the reason of bone loss, and track the progress of the effect of treatment for osteoporosis.

·         It also accesses the danger of developing breakages. Several issues like aging, undernourishment, body weight, family history of osteoporotic breakages, unhealthy lifestyle, are also accountable for the loss of bone mass. All these are also taken into deliberation before providing treatment to the patient.

·         It is suggested for women above 40 years and older and men over 60 years to have a DEXA examination at least once. The bone loss in women is related with the less reduction of estrogen that happens because of menopause, so women develop low mineral thickness earlier than men.

·         DEXA examination helps to recognize the decrease in bone thickness. This examination also notices weak or brittle bone and also helps to notice the odds of a future fracture.

The following individuals are counseled to undergo a DEXA examination:

·         Organ relocate patients, as anti-rejection medications can cause bone loss.

·         Individual agonizing from hyperthyroidism and high bone income.

·         People with a family history of hip breakages.

·         Ladies who’ve reached the phase of menopause.

·         Persons whose mothers smoked during gravidity period.

·         Men who have rheumatoid arthritis and other medicalsettings associated with bone loss.

·         Individuals who take medicines that reason bone loss, counting corticosteroids, anti-seizure medications, and thyroid replacement drugs.

Safeguards to take care before DEXA examination:

·         Wear loose dress during the examinationprocess, and do not wear clothes that have buttons, belts, and zippers.

·         Also eliminate the jewelry, metallic objects, coins, keys from the pocket.

·         Eliminate the dental applications, hearing aid, and eyeglasses before the process.

·         Duck smoking and alcohol consumption for a few days before the examination.

·         Dodge taking calcium and certain supplements for about 1-2 days before the examination.

·         Process timing: 10 to 30 minutes, contingent upon the body part being inspected.

Process:

The bone density examination is effortless and fast, and there is virtually no preparation required before the examination. Share with a doctor if you recently have a contrast material vaccinated for a CT Scan or X-ray Examination, as contrast material might inhibit with the bone density examination.

Step 1. No anesthesia is mandatory, and the patient has to wear a loose, comfortable dress.

Step 2. The patient is advised to lie on a padded table, and below the table, an imaging device is present an X-ray generator.

Step 3. The examination is fixated on the lower spine and hips, and in small children and some adults, the examination is done in the whole body. Hips and spine are battered because, in these places, most breakages because of bone loss occur. (If the hip or spine cannot be perused, then the forearm will be perused instead). Bone thicknessdiffers in different parts of the body, so more than one body part will be skimmed.

Step 4. The patient is recommended to stay still to prevent the picture from blurring. The hip examination is done by placing the foot in the machine that gently rotates the hip inward.

Step 5. The radiographer, a specialist in taking X-ray pictures, will send an unseen beam of low dose X-ray comprising two energy peaks through the targeted region of the bone. The X-ray detector supports to gauge the amount of X-rays passed through the body.

Step 6. The first peak of energy is captivated by the lax body tissue and the other by the bones. Total bone mineral thickness is designed by deducting the amount of radioactivity absorbed by the soft tissue from the total radiation produced or by using the standard deviation (SD) score.

* The baseline examination is compared with the second examination to regulate if the bone density is improving or worsening.

Results:

The consequences are found within a week or two, and the consequences of the bone density examination are obtained in the form of Z-score and T-score.

* T score displays the number of units (standard nonconformities) and governs bone density is higher or lower below the average, likened to the fit young adult of the same sex.

T score (-1 and above): Bone density usual.
T score (-1 and -2.5): Bone thickness below usual and may lead to osteoporosis.
T score (-2.5 and below): Osteoporosis.

* Z score relates the bone thickness to a normal score of the same body size, weight, and age. Supports to regulate the uncommon contributing factor for bone loss.

Z score (above 2.0): Regular.

Z score (-1.5): Issues other than aging like undernourishment, medications, thyroid abnormalities, tobacco contributing osteoporosis