A new Bone Densitometer at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital will ensure earlier diagnosis in the war against osteoporosis.

Representatives from Merck, Sharpe and Dohme (MS&D) recently donated a cheque of $10,000 to help KEMH realise its dream.

The machine, a Hologic QDR 4500SL DEXA Scanner, will be used to estimate bone loss that can be an indicator of the early stages of osteoporosis.

The instrument was recommended by several world-renowned medical centres.

Dr. Cathryn Siddle, Continuing Medical Education Director at KEMH, said: "We are very grateful for the donation, which will help screen women for osteoporosis. Merck has been a very generous sponsor.'' Venetta Symonds, Manager of Diagnostic Imaging, said: "Bone Densitometer measures bone loss that can result in complicated fractures, or other debilitating conditions. When fractures do occur due to bone loss, the quality of life of an otherwise healthy individual is severely compromised.

"Complex surgeries, long hospital stays, and long rehabilitative periods are often the result. Routine bone screening of high-risk individuals will decrease the occurrence of these debilitating fractures.'' In April 1998 and June 1999 the Bermuda Hospitals Board hosted the MS&D osteoporosis screenings. The portable, inexpensive, quick heel test was used to identify those individuals at high risk for bone loss.

High-risk individuals should have the DEXA studies to identify the bone loss areas. Intervention treatment for the loss should be followed up and monitored by a DEXA scanner.

The Bermuda Hospitals Board now offers both the screening and diagnostic services provided by the heel test and the DEXA scanner.

The new service will be offered in an environment that will allow continuous patient care. It will be of the highest standard to earn the site accreditation offered by the International Society of Clinical Densitometry.

Mrs. Symonds said referrals and comparisons could be made using images provided by X-ray, CAT Scan and Nuclear Medicine. Patients can consult with radiologists, technologists and nursing staff within the Diagnostic Imaging Unit as well as with other health professionals in the hospital area.

Mrs. Symonds said: "The Bermuda Hospitals Board's bone densitometry service has officially started. The initiative will be led by Dr. George Ringer as Director of Diagnostic Imaging. Diagnostic Imaging seniors will assist in the implementation of the service.'' The Sahara Heel unit -- used during the MS&D surveys -- will be used to help in the identification of high-risk individuals who could benefit from the advanced DEXA exam. The exam is made possible through the use of ultrasound waves for measurement instead of the larger DEXA which uses X-radiation to assess bone mass.

Mrs. Symonds said according to consensus statements from the Scientific Advisory Board of the Osteoporosis Society of Canada, several distinct elements predispose individuals to bone loss, such as: Menopause, including early menopause; Amenorrhea (abnormal absence of menstruation) in young women; Long-term use of steroids; A strong family history of Osteoporosis; and Diagnoses of bone loss by a radiologist based on an X-ray examination.'' The bone densitometry service will be located in the Ultrasound and Mammography suite of the hospital.

For further information contact your physician or call Mrs. Symonds on 236-4343.

Healthy contribution: Pictured, from left, are Maxine Miller, Zone Manager of western Caribbean division Merck, Sharpe and Dohme, Dr. George Ringer, Chief Radiologist of Diagnostic Imaging at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, Venetta Symonds, Manager of Diagnostic Imaging, Margaret Souza, Senior Cat Scan Technician (seated), Lucille Parker-Swan, director of clinical programmes at KEMH, Eric Clee, Managing Director of MS&D, and Alderine Ennis, professional medical representative at MS&D.