To illustrate, positioning within the sphere of medical imaging can be problematic at times, let alone when terms like DEXA scan and bone scan are implied. When you hear the terms screening and scanning, you might think they are the same method, serving different purposes and certainly providing different information about your bones.
At the end of reading through this blog, keepers of this site will be well-equipped with information with which to decide their path to leading a healthy life concerning the two types of scans: the DEXA and the bone scan.
Understanding DEXA Scans
DEXA scan, or Double Energy X-beam Absorptiometry examination regions, is an imaging test that lays out the patient’s bone thickness level. In order to determine how much calcium and other minerals are present in a specific area of the bone, low-dose X-rays are used. By and large, the spine, hip, and, at times, the lower arm are the regions of the body where this cycle is performed. DEXA or CT scans near me are frequently used to diagnose osteoporosis and assess the risk of fractures.
Key Features of a DEXA Scan
Purpose: These measures include the determination of bone mineral density.
Procedure: It is safe, least invasive, does not cause any discomfort to the patient and is also fastest among all techniques.
Radiation Exposure: Very low, in the range of the background radiation a person receives daily.
Common Uses: Screening for osteoporosis, assessing the potential to fracture, and tracking densities of bone shifts in the long term.
Understanding Bone Scans
A bone scan is a nuclear medical imaging procedure, the primary goal of which is to diagnose several types of bone pathology. Part of this, a tracer, which is a very small portion of radioactive material is introduced into the blood vessels. This particular tracer circulates within the bloodstream and gets deposited in bones, and more to the point, in the most active metabolic regions of the bones.
Key Features of a Bone Scan
Purpose: Diagnose bone disorders such as fractures, infection and some cancers.
Procedure: It entails using a radioactive tracer and taking scans after a few hours have elapsed.
Radiation Exposure: Greater than DEXA scan but well below the safe levels when it comes to deemed medical procedures.
Common Uses: For purposes of seeing bone infections, for diagnosing cancerous metastasis and for the diagnosis of unexplainable bone pains.
Differences between DEXA Scan and Bone Scan
Despite the fact that both of them deal with the bones, they are completely different in their purpose, methods, and data that can be received.
Purpose and Applications
DEXA Scan: Mainly used for the assessment of Osteoporosis, a disease related to mineral density in bones.
Bone Scan: Utilised in the diagnosis of several bone diseases such as; Fractures- broken bones, Infections within bones and Bone cancer.
Procedure
DEXA Scan: As quickly as can be done without touching bare skin and as painlessly as may be. This generally takes a range between 10 and 20 minutes.
Bone Scan: Slightly more complex as one has to first be injected and then has to wait for a few hours before the scan can be done.
Radiation Exposure
DEXA Scan: Little radiation dose, at a level close to that of the natural background dose received in one day.
Bone Scan: General increased in radiation sort of produced by the radioactive tracer but remains within medical admissible levels.
When to Choose a DEXA Scan?
A DEXA scan is recommended when needed to determine bone density.
Postmenopausal Women: At higher risk of osteoporosis complications.
Men Over 70: The bone mass density is bound to reduce as one age.
Individuals with Fracture History: To determine the probability of another crack appearing in the bone of a patient.
People with Risk Factors: Such as having steroids for a long time, rheumatoid arthritis, or the presence of osteoporosis among relatives.
When to Choose a Bone Scan?
Bone scans come in various forms and may not be required in certain situations. Hence, in this section, there is a clear explanation of when a bone scan is most appropriate.
A bone scan is the preferred choice for identifying specific bone problems, such as:
Unexplained Bone Pain: To localise the lesion when other imaging studies are negative or equivocal about the source of the patient’s symptoms.
Cancer Detection: If cancer has metastasised to the bones.
Bone Infections: Identifier of the disease osteomyelitis, an infection affecting the bone.
X-ray-invisible fractures: Hairline and stress fractures, for example, are cracks that are difficult to see, identify, or detect on straightforward X-ray images.
The Crucial Role of Accurate Diagnosis
Seek Medical Advice: You should always tell your doctor about all of your symptoms and any health history you have.
Understand the Procedure: They work by preparing the learners on what they are expected to face with the anticipation of reducing anxiety.
Follow Pre-Scan Instructions: There may be instances in which you may have to fast or refrain from certain medications before the scans. It is essential to obey all the directions to get the correct outcomes accurately.
Concluding Words
This is because everyone who is informed is equipped with knowledge that can help them through the right choices concerning their health. Both scans are valuable diagnostic procedures, but understanding when to use one or the other guarantees the patient’s optimal treatment. If more details are required, or if you have any questions you would like to ask, please do not hesitate to contact our dedicated CareScan team. Just think of us as your team who will be beside you from start to finish.
We understand this and, at CareScan, offer the best imaging solutions to meet your individual needs. State of the art technology and skilled personnel guarantee the client gets the right and precise outcome. Please tell us more about the services you are interested in by contacting us.
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