BONE DENSITOMETRY

Appointment:	Recommended
Preparation:	Not required
Contrast Material:	Not required

DiagnoseZentrumUrania offers you GE Lunar Prodigy - a scanner that fulfils the most up-to-date standards for a DEXA bone densitometry examination with a low radiation dose, in keeping with the most modern quality criteria.

Main Applications:

A bone densitometry is appropriate in adults with at least three of the risk factors mentioned below:

• Women beyond the age of 60 years with an additional risk factor
• Women age 65 and up  and men from the age of 70 and up with no additional risk factors
• Adults with fractures after minimal injury
• Adults with a suspected low bone density or rapid loss of calcium (malabsorption syndrome)
• Adults who take medications that accelerate calcium degradation (e.g. cortisone).

Risk factors are the following:

• Light skin color
• Female gender
• Family history
• Severe back pain
• Excessive caffeine intake
  
• Excessive salt  intake
  
• Smoking
• A sedentary (low-exercise) lifestyle
• Low quantities of calcium in food
• Vitamin D deficiency
• Low body weight (< BMI 20)
• Unwanted weight loss (more than 10%)
• Premature menopause
• Increased risk of falling
• Reduction of body height by more than 4 cm

Test your osteoporosis risk:

• Checklist for women
• Checklist for men

A bone densitometry can be performed in all patients with the above mentioned indications and with a referral from the Wiener Gebietskrankenkasse (Vienna Regional Insurance).

The Examination:

Patients are requested to change into a gown when necessary. Metal objects should be removed from the area to be examined. Using weak X-rays, the bone densitometry scanner creates images of the lumbar spine and the hip. The patient should not move while the images are being obtained. The entire examination takes about 10 minutes.

Important note

A woman who is pregnant must inform the staff about her pregnancy prior to the investigation.