|
|
 |
| |
Osteoporosis Health Centre
Diagnosis |
Conventional Tests
DXA or Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry
DXA is the "gold standard" for measuring bone density and diagnosing osteoporosis.
DXA is a special X-ray that detects bone loss much earlier than conventional
X-rays. Standard X-rays cannot detect bone loss until 30 percent of
the bone has been lost. By this time, a person will already have osteoporosis
and will be at higher risk of having painful fractures. DXA can even
detect osteopenia, which is defined as mild bone loss.
DXA:
measures the density of bones in the spine and the hip. These areas represent the two types of bone in the body: cortical and trabecular bones.
DXA:
- is painless, accurate, non-invasive
- is quick - it takes about 20 minutes
- uses a low level of radiation (less than 1/3 of a chest x-ray)
- can provide whole body scanning which gives information about body composition including lean (muscle) and fat mass
An alternative test for Osteoporosis - QCT
Quantitative Computed Tomography (QCT) is another test used to measure bone density.
It is not as widely available as DEXA and its use is restricted.
QCT:
- scans the trabecular bones of the lower spine - the type of bones that change with age
- provides separate measurements of the two types of bone in the body. This makes it more sensitive and precise than other tests
- uses a higher dose of radiation than other bone density tests (as much as a chest x-ray)
Back to Index
|
|
