DEXA Scans Detect Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a disease of the skeleton whereby the bones become brittle, making them break more easily with little or no trauma. Osteoporosis can occur in both men and women of all ages and ethnicities, but it is primarily a disease of older women. In the United States alone, there are more than 1.5 million osteoporotic fractures annually. Symptoms are not obvious and are typically only suspected once a fracture occurs.
Until recently, a fracture was the only way to tell if a patient could have osteoporosis, but with the technology of bone densitometry testing (DEXA scan), we can be proactive in detecting low bone mass. Central DEXA (Dual Energy X-ray Absorptometry) is a very low dose x-ray that computes BMD (bone mineral density) of the spine, hip, and, sometimes, radius. DEXA is the currently accepted "gold standard" method of detecting osteoporosis. This test is most often administered to those at highest risk of developing osteoporosis.
Bone densitometry is recommended for the following:
- All women aged 65 and older
- All men aged 70 and older
- Anyone with a fracture as an adult
- Anyone with a disease, condition, or medication associated with osteoporosis
- Anyone who is considering therapy for osteoporosis, if bone density testing would facilitate the decision
- Women who have been on hormone replacement therapy for a prolonged period of time
- Anyone being treated for osteoporosis, to monitor the effects of therapy
DEXA scans, performed with the Hologic Discovery™ bone density system, are currently offered at American Radiology Services' Annapolis, Bel Air, Calvert, Green Spring, Howard County, Owings Mills, Timonium Crossing, and White Marsh locations. To schedule an appointment, call 410.298.0454 or visit www.americanradiology.com today.
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