Nuclear medicine bone density scan

Bone densitometry scan Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA)

• Indications
  • Screening for osteoporosis
• Mechanisms
  • Posteroanterior lumbar spine and proximal femur X-rays with two energy peaks are produced, allowing diff. absorption of radiation by bone and soft tissue, from which BMD is calculated. Best Precision (0.5% to 3% coefficient of variation).
• Limitations
  • Gold standard. Precision error is 1%-2%. Accuracy error is 3%-5%
• Normal Bone densitometry scan
• Abnormal Bone densitometry scan