XRA Medical Imaging is an accredited facility from the American College of Radiology to perform services in Rhode Island. Find information regarding our Bone Density exams below, and our office locations where Bone Densitometry can be performed.
Bone scans measure the amount of bone in a
particular site of the body, usually the lower part
of the spine, the hip, the forearm, or the heel.
Research in osteoporosis, the disorder in which progressive bone loss occurs, is making important new advances. A key factor in this success has been the use of new and improved testing equipment (densitometers) to measure bone density. In the past, evaluating bone density using conventional x-ray systems often did not reveal a potential problem until the patient had already lost 25-30 percent of their bone density. Now, using new, "DEXA" equipment, our radiologists can measure your bone density more accurately than ever before, and this information will help your doctor decide the best course of action for your bone health.
This new, advanced "DEXA" bone densitometer, recognized by the National Osteoporosis Foundation as the most accurate bone density technique, is now available at our Cranston, Wakefield, and Johnston Imaging Centers.
For your health, XRA Medical Imaging recommends that you speak to your doctor about osteoporosis, particularly if you have risk factors or if you are postmenopausal. Should your physician recommend a bone density test, please obtain a referral order and call XRA Medical Imaging for the highest quality, most advanced study available. The exam is safe and painless requiring only a few minutes lying on the scanner table.
Facts About Osteoporosis:
- The National Osteoporosis Foundation estimates that osteoporosis will affect one in every two women, and one in every five men. Osteoporosis results in increased frequency of hip, spine and wrist fractures.
- After the age of 50, a women’s risk of developing osteoporosis doubles every
five years.
- Early detection can help to prevent further bone deterioration.
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Scans of any bones can predict a patient's
overall risk of future fractures. The amount of
bone measured by a scanner is often called
the 'bone density'.
A radiologist, a physician specifically trained to supervise and interpret radiology examinations, will analyze the images and send a signed report to your primary care or referring physician, who will discuss the results with you.
T score - This number shows the amount of bone you have compared with a young adult of the same gender with peak bone mass. A score above -1 is considered normal. A score between -1 and -2.5 is classified as osteopenia (low bone mass). A score below -2.5 is defined as osteoporosis. The T score is used to estimate your risk of developing a fracture.
Z score - This number reflects the amount of bone you have compared with other people in your age group and of the same size and gender. If this score is unusually high or low, it may indicate a need for further medical tests.
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A central device is a large machine on which you lie down during bone density testing. The equipment measures your bone density at your hip or spine through a test called a dual energy X-ray absorptiometry scan, or DXA scan. A DXA scan offers very precise results and is the preferred test for diagnosing osteoporosis.
During the test, you lie on a padded platform for a few minutes while an imager — a mechanical arm-like device — passes over your body. It won't touch you. The test does, however, emit radiation, though your exposure during a bone density test is commonly about one-tenth of the amount emitted during a chest X-ray. The test usually takes five to 10 minutes to complete.
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What is Bone Densitometry (Bone Density Exam)?
