Vision XRAY Group

Procedure Listing > Bone Densitometry

Bone densitometry examines the health of your bones by measuring the mineral content of bone, and may detect osteoporosis even in its earliest stages. DIS examines the hip and/or spine because these are the sites where osteoporosis can have significant and long-term effects. DIS offers two modalities:

DEXA - Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry
QCT – Quantitative Computed Tomography

DEXA Scan - Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry

A DEXA scan is painless and simple to conduct and usually takes less than ten minutes. It is also very safe-the radiation exposure is minimal, and the test is very precise. During a DEXA scan a scanner will pass over one area of your skeleton. A dual energy beam of very low dose x-rays passes through that area of your body and is measured by a detector. You will not feel anything during the exam. DEXA technology works by measuring the amount of x-rays that are absorbed by the bones in your body. The two x-ray energies allow the machine to differentiate between bone and soft tissue, giving a very accurate estimation of bone density. DEXA scans are offered at our City X-Ray and Beaches X-RAy locations.

Preparations

Unless instructed otherwise, eat normally on the day of the exam; but avoid taking calcium supplements for at least 24 hours prior to your appointment.
Please refrain from wearing zippers, buttons, grommets or any metal on your clothing.
You should not have had a barium study, radioisotope injection, oral or intravenous contrast material from a CT scan or MRI within seven days prior to your DEXA test.