Clinic Hours:
Mon-Fri: 8:00-5:00
Saturday: 8:00AM to 1:00PM
Closed Sun and Holidays
Phone: 748-4080
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AccuImaging Kapolei provides Bone Density Analysis for the detection of low of bone density, as well as Digital X-Ray services. Our state-of-the-art equipment and pleasant environment make us an ideal option for patients requiring diagnostic imaging.
A Bone Mineral Density (BMD) test is used to determine if patients have osteoporosis or are at risk for developing the disease. The test involves using a special system called DEXA to measure the density of the bone in a person’s hip and lower spine.
DEXA, which is short for dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, uses two different extremely low intensity X-ray beams to estimate bone mineral density in the spine and hip. By looking at the amount of each X-ray beam that is blocked by bone and soft tissue, our doctors are able to determine how dense a person’s bones are. DEXA is the most accurate method of measuring BMD and all the clinical literature for treatment of osteoporosis and osteopenia is based upon DEXA results.
The DEXA unit employed at AccuImaging Kapolei is a state-of-the-art unit that has computer assistance to ensure accuracy, reproducibility, safety, and quality of the DEXA scan. The unit is also capable of performing lateral vertebral assessment to assess for the presence and risk of compression fractures of the spine.
Osteoporosis is a progressive disease that develops when too much calcium is depleted from the bone. This results in bones that are more fragile than normal healthy bones, leaving them more susceptible to fracture. These fractures occur most commonly in the hip, spine, and wrist. Osteoporosis typically has no symptoms until a fracture occurs.
Osteoporosis is a major public health threat affecting 44 million Americans. Women are affected four times as often as men. Though the disease is especially common in postmenopausal women, it can affect pre-menopausal women as well as men. One in two women, and one in eight men age 50 or older will experience a fracture due to osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis is a relentless disease that can cause significant debilitation if a hip or spine fracture occurs. In theses cases, hospitalization and major surgery are often required. The good news is that this is a preventable disease. Early detection and treatment can help prevent such fractures from occurring.
The following can increase your risk of developing Osteoporosis:
On the day of the test, wear comfortable clothes that are free of zippers, belts, or buttons made of metal. Eat normally, but do not take calcium supplements for at least 24 hours before the test. Please inform us if you have recently had a barium examination or have been injected with a contrast material for a CT scan or radioisotope scan – you may be asked to wait up to two weeks before undergoing a DEXA scan.
During the bone density scan, you will lie on your back on a padded table while the machine scans your bones to determine how much radiation they absorb.
The scanning process takes about 20 minutes. It does not cause any discomfort and radiation exposure is very low. Pregnant women should not undergo bone density screening due to the possibility that radiation could harm the fetus.
The following groups are at risk for bone loss and should undergo a bone density test:
T-Score
Your T-score is your bone mineral density (BMD) compared to the average score of a healthy 30-year-old. It is expressed as a standard deviation. A positive score means that you have higher bone density than an average 30-year-old, while a negative score indicates that you have lower bone density than an average 30-year-old.
The World Health Organization has established the following definitions regarding bone density:
Z-score:
Your Z-Score reveals how your BMD compares to people of your age, sex, and race. It is also expressed as a standard deviation. Like a T-score, a negative value indicates lower bone density, while a positive score indicates higher bone density.
In addition to performing bone density tests, AccuImaging offers X-rays using state-of-the-art technology.
Taking an X-ray involves exposing a part of the body to a small dose of radiation to produce an image. As X-rays pass through the body, they are absorbed in varying amounts by different tissues. The tissues appear as assorted shades of gray and white on the image, allowing our doctors to differentiate between bones, organs, and other tissue. Digital X-rays are stored and viewed electronically.
Receiving an X-ray is a quick, painless procedure. It is useful for diagnosing bone and joint injuries and diseases, infections, arthritis, and cancer.
If you are receiving a chest X-ray or bone X-ray, you do not have to do anything special prior to the procedure. Depending on what part of your body is being X-rayed, you may be required to change into a gown. You will be asked to remove jewelry, eyeglasses, and anything metal prior to receiving your X-ray. As radiation could be harmful to a fetus, please inform us if you are pregnant or may be pregnant.
If you are receiving GI imaging, you will be given special instructions about what to eat and drink prior to the exam.
Thanks to modern equipment and techniques, you are exposed to a very small amount of radiation when receiving an X-ray. Stray radiation is minimized and parts of the body not being imaged receive little exposure. Generally, the small degree of risk posed by radiation exposure is outweighed by the diagnostic information provided by an X-ray. Women who are pregnant or believe they may be pregnant should notify us before receiving any type of X-ray.
Learn more about the AccuImaging Facility.