Bone Density
BONE DENSITOMETRY SCAN FOR OSTEOPOROSIS
- The test that has been ordered for you is a bone densitometry study. It is
also called a DEXA scan and is performed to determine if you have osteoporosis.
The scan measures the density of your bones compared to national database of
patients of the same sex and age.
- Please arrive 10 minutes prior to your appointment time. There is no
preparation for this test. You may eat, drink, and take your medication. We
suggest that you wear pants, sweat suits or dresses with no metallic buttons or
zippers, but patient gowns are available if a change of dress is necessary. Please
inform the technologist if you have had barium studies or procedures in which
dye was injected within the last week.
- You will be asked to lie on your back on a padded table for the test. The
examination takes about 20 minutes. The test uses a very small dose of radiation
and is not considered dangerous.
- A registered technologist will perform the procedure. The data collected
will be organized and presented to the Radiologist for interpretation. The
technologist will not be able to give you the results of your exam.
