Bone Densitometry or DEXA

Overview

• DEXA (bone densitometry) stands for ‘dual energy X-ray absorptiometry’
• One of the principle uses of DEXA is the investigation of bone mineral density depletion due to osteoporosis
• Osteoporosis affects almost half of all post-menopausal women (the highest risk group for the condition) and causes progressive bone loss which in turn increases the risk of fracture
• It's a very simple examination where the patient lies on a special bed while the arm of a scanner passes over them
• The bone densitometer measures bone mineral density (BMD)
• It compares measurements to those of other people of a similar age and weight, and of the same sex and ethnic background
• This information is used to determine whether the patient has osteoporosis and if they're at risk of having brittle bones
• Before the introduction of this kind of dedicated equipment, evaluating bone density using conventional x-ray systems didn't reveal a potential problem until a patient had lost 25 to 30 percent of the bone density
• Now, with short scanning times and low x-ray doses, this highly sensitive equipment can help identify risk at a much earlier stage
• In addition, it can also evaluate your patient's response to treatment, helping to prove that the chosen therapy is effective

Is it safe?

• The DEXA examination involves a very small dose of radiation
• However, please bear in mind that a bone-density scan of, for example, the spine has a much smaller dose of radiation than a chest X-ray and is typically equivalent to the amount you'd expect to receive on a long aeroplane flight

Where can I find information for my patient?

• Our patient area has comprehensive and easy to understand information on the procedure - you can access this here

Care pathways

• We've put together a useful collection of straightforward, single-page diagrams illustrating typical diagnostic care pathways - please click to view and download:
  
  
  • Headache
  • Knee pain
  • Shoulder pain
  • Head scan
  • Hip joint
  • Lower back pain

How do I refer my patient?

• Referring your patient is an easy, two-step process:
  
  
  • Step 1: select your preferred imaging centre
  • Step 2: complete and return the relevant referral form
• And, if you have any questions, just contact our dedicated Patient Management Centre on 0845 045 0600, we'd be glad to help

Videos from AMTV

Learn more

• AMTV: Professional Channel - browse our clinicians' video gallery here
• Scan Dictionary - an A-Z of common terms
• Refer your patient - find out more here
• Find your location - find your location here
• 18 week pathway support - learn more about this here
• Clinical Governance and Assurance - learn more here
• Got a question, query or concern? Just contact us, we'd be delighted to help