Medical Questions » Radiology Questions » Question No. 841
| Question: | What is the test done to see if you have thin bones in old age? |
| Answer: | Quite often osteoporosis (thin bones) can be seen on a plain X-ray of major bones, but there is also a specific test known as dual photon densitometry scan.
The density of bone can be ascertained from the amount of mineral contained in it. This type of scan is able to measure the mineral content of bone and is a way of diagnosing the onset of osteoporosis, or thinning of the bones. The machine is called an osteodensitometer. The whole body, or just the forearm of a patient can be tested.
In a whole body scan, the patient lies on a bed with a flat plate underneath as a (very mild) source of radiation, and a long-armed scanner then moves slowly down the body emitting photon beams which can determine the density of the tissue they are passing through. The procedure takes about half an hour and is completely painless.
A bone scan cannot necessarily predict osteoporosis in normal people, but is very useful for high-risk subjects or people who already have signs of osteoporosis, so that remedial treatment such as medications to replace the lost calcium, hormone replacement therapy and calcium supplements can be administered.
Dual photon densitometty costs are not rebateable under Medicare except in very specific circumstances.
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