Bone mineral density scans

…; In bone mineral density (BMD) scanning, the energy of x ray beams that are passed through bones is absorbed, and what is not absorbed is detected on the other side of the body. The more dense the bones (from greater mineral content), the more energy is absorbed, and the less energy detected.

…; The radiation energy per pixel (“picture element”) is detected and converted into an “areal density” measured in g/cm². The number of pixels in the area is summed, then the amount of bone in each pixel is calculated. This allows a bone density to be calculated for the specific bone in question.

…; Basic BMD measurement requires the patient to be “on the table” …