Current Technology
Three technologies are capable of providing
quantitative measurements of bone density
to both detect osteoporosis and to assess
treatment efficacy. The first, considered the
gold standard for bone densitometry, is the
dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry or DXA
(known as “DEXA” until 2003). The second
is bone ultrasonometry, formerly known as
ultrasonic bone densitometry. The third,
and least common, is a software application
for a computed tomography (CT) scanner.
All three methods are
considered noninvasive
and painless, as well as
relatively inexpensive.
The first two depend on
specialized equipment,
which is the subject of
this article. Quantitative
CT will not be included because it is a
software application and represents a costly
and, some argue, an inappropriate use of a
CT while the results are no better than DXA,
the gold standard.