For patient safety, patients exceeding the weight limit of 340 lbs. will not be done at London X-Ray Associates.
- Overview
Bone mineral densitometry measures the amount of minerals and calcium within bones. A decrease in the strength of bone due to decreased mineral content is called osteoporosis. Osteoporosis increases the likelihood of breaking (fracturing) a bone. BMD is done to identify those individuals at increased risk for fractures. Two of the most common places to fracture in those with weak bones are the spine and the hip. Because of this, BMD is most commonly performed at these two sites.
The BMD machine passes a thin carefully controlled beam of x-ray through the body. The more mineral (calcium) present, the fewer x-ray make it through the body to be detected by the machine. A computer attached to the machine is able to calculate the amount of mineral present by determining how much of the x-ray beam has been absorbed.
This examination takes about 15 minutes.
- Common Reasons for BMD
Some of the more common reasons why your doctor would order a BMD include:
- Early menopause (<45 years old)
- Use of steroid (cortisone-like) medications taken for long periods of time
- Depo-Provera use
- Family history of osteoporosis
- Previous spine, hip, or wrist fracture
- Poor nutrition
- Thyroid abnormalities
- Previous chemotherapy
- Use of anti-seizure medication
- Low body weight
- Cigarette smoking
- Alcoholism
- Who should not have a BMD?
BMD, and indeed all x-ray examinations, should not be performed on pregnant women except when the information provided by the test is vital to treatment of the patient and there are no suitable alternatives.
BMD should be done at least 24 hours after nuclear medicine scans. Patients who have had a barium swallow, upper GI series, small bowel follow-through, barium enema, or CT scan of the abdomen should wait at least 72 hours before having BMD.
- How do I prepare for the test?
Calcium and iron pills should be avoided on the day of the examination. There can be no metal overlying the area of the BMD scanning. Belly button rings should be removed.
- Who performs the examination?
An x-ray technologist (someone trained to take x-ray images) who specializes and is accredited in Bone Mineral Densitometry.
- What happens during the examination?
It is not necessary for the patients to undress for the examination if they avoid wearing metal buttons, zippers or belt buckles over the lower spine and hips. A gown will be provided if necessary. You will be taken to a room containing a BMD machine and a computer. You will lie on your back on a bed while a mechanical arm passes over your spine and hip regions. The machine does not come close to your body. There is no pain and no needles.
- What are the risks of the procedure?
All x-rays involve receiving a controlled amount of radiation. The risk associated with the radiation received during a single x-ray examination is very small. While the exact likelihood is controversial, there is a very small chance of the radiation contributing to the development of a malignancy many years in the future. The risks involved in everyday activities such as driving a car are far higher. Generally, the risk of not doing the x-ray far outweighs the risk of the small amount of radiation involved.
- Who interprets the results and how do I get them?
The results are interpreted by one of our radiologists and are sent by fax to the doctor who ordered the BMD.
Arrangements to discuss the results of the BMD can be made with the doctor who ordered the exam.
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