• A CT Bone Density scan (QCT) is an extremely accurate way to diagnose osteoporosis and determine your risk for a future fracture. There are several different machines that measure bone density such as DEXA and QCT (Quantitative Computed Tomography). QCT is felt to be the more accurate method of determining and following a patient’s bone density over time. However, patients should not switch back and forth between QCT and DEXA. Once a patient and their doctor choose QCT Bone Density analysis, future evaluations should also be performed with QCT, as the results will be a more accurate comparison of the patient’s true bone density changes over time.
  • QCT is a three-dimensional method obtained on a CT scanner that provides true bone density of the spine and hip. DEXA bone mineral density estimates, but not QCT, may be significantly biased by severe degenerative changes of the hip or spine, vascular calcifications, oral contrast agents (from other radiology exams), and foods or dietary supplements containing significant amounts of calcium. QCT is also often more accurate in patients with obesity. QCT targets the trabecular bone (the first to show changes of bone loss) and measures it separately from the surrounding cortical bone, degenerative changes, bone spurs and vascular calcifications, which can mask osteoporosis in many patients.

WHAT YOU
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Get answers to some of the most common questions about bone density scans.