Bone Densitometry

What is Bone Densitometry?

Bone Densitometry is a non-invasive procedure in which a patient’s bone mineral density (BMD) is measured and then compared against a normal population of people who are the same age, weight, sex and ethnic background as the patient. It uses a very low energy x-ray beam to produce a "scan" of the lumbar spine, either hip, and/or either forearm. Your doctor uses the information gathered from this study to assess your bone condition, risk of fracture, and to assist in deciding whether treatment is necessary. If you are already undergoing treatment or therapy for osteoporosis or osteopoenia, periodic follow up studies are recommended to assess changes in bone density.

Why Bone Densitometry?

About one-half of all women over the age of 50 have osteoporosis. Osteoporosis places a person at increased risk of bone fracture. Bone densitometry is a safe and very accurate method of assessing the health of bone and risk of osteoporosis. Other risk factors suggesting bone densitometry are menopause, height or known compression fractures of the spine, diabetes, long term use of steroids such as cortisone for arthritis, cancer therapy drugs, family history of osteoporosis, and history of smoking. Multiple risk factors often occur in one patient.

Precautions

As with any x-ray procedure there are some limiting factors for the exam. The exam would not be performed if any of the following conditions were met:

• Pregnancy. The exam cannot be performed on pregnant women.

• Any type of barium study or nuclear medicine study was performed within one (1) week of the bone density study.

• History of surgery to the lower back with internal fixation; wires, screws, Harrington rods, Spine cages, etc.

• History of fractures of both hips with or without internal fixation.

Procedure

The study is performed by an x-ray technologist and takes about 15-20 minutes to complete. Comfortable clothing should be worn such as sweat suits or soft cotton clothing. Metal objects such as belt buckles, rivets, snaps, zippers, and or buttons over the mid-abdomen or hip areas interfere with the scan and must be removed, along with shoes.

During the exam, you will lie quietly on a comfortable (well padded) scan table while a "C-Arm" (x-ray tube) moves over the area being scanned. Breathing is not suspended during the scan, but talking is discouraged while the C-Arm is in motion.

Post Exam

Once the chosen areas have been scanned satisfactorily the exam is complete and the patient is allowed to replace items and/or clothing that have been removed and leave. The technologist will apply the computer program to analyze the images that have been produced. The computer will print a copy of the scan and the analysis of the area of bone that has been imaged. The printed copies are given to a radiologist who will prepare a report on the information obtained. A copy of the completed scanned image and the radiologist’s report will be sent to your physician. The information gathered and the image scans are stored on the computer making it possible to do future studies and comparisons.

Insurance Coverage / Reimbursement

Bone density scans are not covered by Medicare as a screening tool, although there is legislation pending in Congress for its future coverage. Most insurance plans, including Medicare, cover bone density scans for diagnosed conditions including Cushing Syndrome, hyperthyroidism, hyperparathyroidism, prolactinoma, vertebral abnormalities, fractures of hip, wrist, or spine in the absence of trauma, documented height loss greater than 1.5 inches, and long-term steroid therapy. Some insurance companies do require prior authorization before reimbursing for the study and it is best to verify with your insurance company.