The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : CMC gets bone densitometry machine

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Saturday, Oct 11, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

CMC gets bone densitometry machine

Special Correspondent

VELLORE: Osteoporosis (thin bones), a disease characterised by low bone mass and deterioration of bone tissue, is more commonly seen in postmenopausal women (about 50 per cent).

It is also seen in elderly men and in patients who have been on drugs such as corticosteroids.

DXA scan is a scan, which is used widely all over the world to measure bone density and to diagnose osteoporosis.

M.S. Seshadri, Professor and Head, Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism, Christian Medical College, Vellore, said in a release that osteoporosis is associated with increased risk for fractures, which include hip, vertebral and wrist fractures.

Post menopausal women above 55 years, elderly patients with history of dull aching back pain and patients who have been on corticosteroids for more than six months should undergo BMD (bone marrow density) testing using DXA scan.

The CMC Hospital, Vellore, is one of the very few centres in India, which are using DXA scans to diagnose osteoporosis.

The CMC Hospital has been using the scan since 2001 to measure bone density.

A latest addition to this is ‘Discovery QDR-DXA Scan,’ a new bone densitometry machine, which was recently installed in the hospital.

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