ByJini Abraham

DEXA SCAN

• DUAL ENERGY X-RAY ABSORPTIOMETRY• Most effective technique for measuring bone mineral density

(BMD)• Osteoporosis – deficient bone matrix with normal mineralization• Women after menopause and estrogen deficiency• Vertebral anomalies, medications causing bone loss and thyroid

conditions• Hip and spine

Photons produced from a low dose energy source

2 X-ray beams with 2 different energy peaks are passed through the body, one peak gets absorbed by the soft tissue and the other by the bone

Generates a two dimensional image

Soft tissue amount is subtracted from the total area, giving the bone mineral density. These measurements are then compared with the normal ranges matched for chronological age(T and Z scores)

T score shows the amount of bone that is compared with a young adult of the same gender with peak bone mass. The T score is used to estimate your risk of developing a fracture.

A score above -1 is considered normalA score between -1 and -2.5 - Osteopenia(low bone mass)A score below -2.5 is defined as osteoporosis.

Z score shows the amount of bone, compared with other people in your age group and of the same size and gender. Z score mainly diagnoses to the risk of having a fracture.

Benefits –

Quick and non invasive procedure

No anaesthesia required

Accurately measures the fracture risk

Less radiation exposure

THANK YOU!