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What is DEXA Scan?
DEXA (Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry) examinations estimate the amount of bone mineral content in specific areas of your body.
Two X-Ray energies allows the Radiologist to tell the difference between bone and soft tissue, giving a very accurate estimation of bone density.
Often confused with a nuclear medicine bone scan, a bone mineral density measurement with DEXA is painless, and requires no injections, invasive procedures, sedation, special diet or any other advance preparation.
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During a DEXA exam, the patient lies fully clothed on a padded table while the system scans one or more areas of bone (usually the lower spine or hip). The entire exam typically takes just a few minutes to complete.
While DEXA uses x-rays, the radiation dose is less than during a chest x-ray.
Each patient's bone density is plotted against the "normal" for a healthy young adult or against age matched control data.
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What should I expect?
You will be asked to lie very still on the scan table, while breathing normally as the scanner arm passes over the area of interest.
An exam usually consists of a spine and a single hip scan. It take about 20 minutes to perform the exam.
Pictured to the left. Lying comfortably, a patient is about to undergo a DEXA Scan or bone density measurement exam. |
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How do I prepare?
Unless otherwise instructed, eat normally on the day of the exam and avoid calcium supplements for two hours before your appointment.
*Be sure to avoid wearing metal.
How do I get my results?
After your study is complete, our board certified radiologist will evaluate the image results and send a full report to your doctor, who will discuss the results with you. |
