Killeen hospital offers new imaging service

Osteoporosis is the most common type of bone disease, and as many as 80 percent of individuals at high risk who have already had at least one osteoporotic fracture are neither identified nor treated.

Bone Densitometry (or DXA scan -- dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) has become the gold standard for measuring the density of bones to help prevent osteoporosis, and Metroplex Hospital has a new bone density scanner in its imaging department.

"We are extremely excited about this new machine," said Randy Hill, director of imaging services. "There has been an overwhelming request by Metroplex physicians and patients to have this service, and we are proud to add DXA to our line of technology offered here."

Getting a DXA scan (a completely open machine) is a painless, noninvasive procedure. No medication or injections are required, and the test takes about 15 minutes.

"People cannot feel their bones getting weaker," said Hill. "They may not know that they have osteoporosis until they break a bone. This simple, 15-minute scan can help detect osteoporosis before it affects their life."

In the U.S. today, 10 million individuals are estimated to already have osteoporosis, and almost 34 million more are estimated to have low bone mass, placing them at an increased risk for the disease. Of the 10 million Americans affected, 8 million are women.

For more information, phone the imaging department at (254) 519- 8500.