On the current trial I am working on, we take whole body DEXA measurements in order to get fat mass versus non-fat mass (lean mass). It also gives a full version of the skeleton. I hadn't thought about it until yesterday as we were scanning someone, "Hmmm, I wonder if this would work for scoliosis?"
Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) is what people get when they have their bone density measured. It's a lying down procedure (so that is one issue). But the amount of radiation is about 1/100 (or less) that of a chest x-ray. The radiation is equal to one day of background radiation while being on the planet earth. So basically, nothing. They don't even require the technicians to wear those radiation badges.
I've seen studies that seem to say that a prone/supine scan is about 10° less than a standing x-ray. I'm sure it is variable though based on the stiffness and progression (??). But I was wondering if anybody here had come across any other studies that really looked at the difference of standing versus lying measurements. Or anything done with a DEXA. Or anything done to try and pseudo-load the spine while in the supine position. You all frequently are much more current on some areas of the literature than I am. Or at least more familiar with what has been published.
I can see a ton of advantages to using a DEXA instead of an x-ray, although certainly there isn't the resolution that an x-ray has. It would primarily just be for curve monitoring.
Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) is what people get when they have their bone density measured. It's a lying down procedure (so that is one issue). But the amount of radiation is about 1/100 (or less) that of a chest x-ray. The radiation is equal to one day of background radiation while being on the planet earth. So basically, nothing. They don't even require the technicians to wear those radiation badges.
I've seen studies that seem to say that a prone/supine scan is about 10° less than a standing x-ray. I'm sure it is variable though based on the stiffness and progression (??). But I was wondering if anybody here had come across any other studies that really looked at the difference of standing versus lying measurements. Or anything done with a DEXA. Or anything done to try and pseudo-load the spine while in the supine position. You all frequently are much more current on some areas of the literature than I am. Or at least more familiar with what has been published.
I can see a ton of advantages to using a DEXA instead of an x-ray, although certainly there isn't the resolution that an x-ray has. It would primarily just be for curve monitoring.
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