© RTL
Since 7 January, the CHdN has been offering advanced bone density scans using a newly installed scanner, with the capacity to see up to 30 patients a day.
Since 7 January, the Centre Hospitalier du Nord (CHdN) has been using a bone densiometre, or bone density scanner, just ahead of its official inauguration. Operating similarly to X-ray machines, the scanner takes about 15 minutes to generate images.
It is primarily used to diagnose and monitor conditions like osteoporosis, as denser bones absorb more rays, allowing radiologists to calculate bone density. The scan can also detect other conditions, such as sarcopenia, though its main focus at CHdN is bone density.
Currently, there is a three-week wait for appointments, which are booked in the same way as regular X-ray procedures, with a prescription from a doctor – either a general practitioner or a specialist. The machine can accommodate up to 30 patients per day.
Patient profiles
There are three categories of patient eligible for a bone density scan.
- Men and women over the age of 70
- Women in menopause and men between the ages of 50 and 70 presenting risk factors
- People over 50 who have already fractured a bone
The bone density scanner at CHdN is the second of its kind in the Grand Duchy, with plans to add a third in the future. Previously, patients faced wait times of up to 20 months for an appointment.
