Mechanisms, indications and limitations of certain nuclear medicine tests
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