DEXA Scan & X-ray In Osteoporosis

DEXA Scan & X-ray In OsteoporosisHiew Zhen XiangBMS 13091337Group A5What is DEXA Scan?Dual Energy X-Ray AbsorptiometryUsed to measure bone mineral densityDual: Two2 X-raybeams with differentenergy levelsare aimed at the patient'sbones. 1 is absorbed by soft tissue and the other by bone.The soft tissue amount is subtracted from the total Remains is patient's bone mineral density.Indication of DEXA ScanPost-menopausal woman whose height >5feet 7inches or < 125poundHistory of hip fracture or smoking.Usage of Drugs like corticosteroids, anti-seizure medications Type 1 diabetes, liver disease, kidney disease or family history of osteoporosis.Excessive collagen in urine samples.Hyperthyroidism or hyperparathyroidismExperience of a fracture after only mild trauma.X-ray evidence of vertebral fracture or other signs of osteoporosis.

such as Prednisone, such as Dilantin3Result InterpretingT score: shows amount of bone compared with young adult of same gender with peak bone mass. -score > -1: normal-score between -1 and -2.5: low bone mass-score < -2.5: osteoporosis. The T score is used to estimate risk of developing fracture.Z score: reflects amount of bone compared with others in your age group and of same size and gender. Benefit of DEXA ScanSimple, quick andnon-invasiveprocedure.Noanaesthesiais required.Amount of radiation used is extremely smallless than one-tenth the dose of a standard chest x-ray, and less than a day's exposure to natural radiation.Most accurate method for diagnosis of osteoporosis and estimator of fracture risk.No radiation remains after X-ray examination.

DisadvantageSlight chance of cancer Women should inform physician if there is possibility of pregnancy

LimitationCannot predict who will experience fracture but provide indications of relative risk.Limited use in people with spinal deformity or previous spinal surgery.Presence of vertebral compression fractures or osteoarthritis interfere accuracy of the testExpensive

X-Ray Finding In OsteoporosisIncreased radiolucency of bonesDecreased number and increased thickness of trabeculaCortical thinningBone bars (reinforcement lines)Decreased heights of vertebrae and accentuation of the cortical outlines (also called picture framing)Vertical vertebral striations due to marked thinning of the transverse trabecular with relative prominence of vertical trabecular.

Reinforcement line: well defined, usually thin sclerotic line extended partially or completely across the marrow cavity in patient with osteopenia (unmasking of growth arrest line)Schmorl's node: An upward and downward protrusion (pushing into) of a spinal disk's soft tissue into the bony tissue of the adjacent vertebrae.10