Fighting Osteoporosis with Bone Scans
Our GE Prodigy DEXA Scanner completes our array of women's imaging services at the
hospital. The scanner is conveniently located adjacent to the Breast Health Center.
The DEXA, or Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry Scanner, allows radiologists to determine the strength of a patient's bones.
"This scanner is more advanced and it scans more area, which gives us an accurate overall view of the patient's bone mineralization," says John Thomas, a radiologist. He uses the equipment to identify patients at high risk of fractures.
Scanning can help detect osteopenia, a condition that means you have low bone density. This in turn may be a precursor to osteoporosis, in which the bones become porous and brittle and fracture easily, especially at the hip, spine and wrist. Besides the short-term pain and inconvenience, fractures can lead to long-term disability and even death.
The results of a DEXA scan yield a number called a T-score that can indicate osteopenia. About 10 million people in the United States have osteoporosis, but three-and-a-half times that many have osteopenia.
The Breast Health Center also offers digital mammography, ultrasounds and breast MRIs. It features a Lorad biopsy table that allows patients to lie on their stomach instead of sitting upright, making biopsy procedures more comfortable.
The GE Prodigy DEXA allows radiologists to determine bone strength and helps diagnose a patient's risk for osteoporosis.
