New Bone Densitometry Scanner for NHS Western Isles

NHS Western Isles has also become the first service in Scotland to introduce a new feature in Bone Densitometry: the ‘Trabecular Bone Score' software.

NHS Western Isles recently took delivery of a new GE “i-DXA” Bone Densitometry scanner to replace the previous scanner, which has been in use since 2014.

This new equipment secures the future of the NHS Western Isles Bone Densitometry service for the next decade and ensures that Osteoporosis, a very common condition in the elderly and those with underlying risk factors, can be effectively diagnosed and patients placed on a management regimen to reduce their future risk of fractures.

The new scanner incorporates important upgrades including the introduction of a new feature in Bone Densitometry, the Trabecular Bone Score making NHS Western Isles the first service in Scotland to utilise this exciting new software.

Shuna Mighton, DXA Reporting Radiographer, explains: “Osteoporosis is a condition where the bones have a reduced mineral density, and also a degraded internal structure, or microarchitecture. Both features contribute to the fragility of the bone and to the overall fracture risk, but until now Bone Densitometry measured the mineral density only. Trabecular bone score uses special software to analyse the same scan measurements and gain additional information on the internal structure of the bone, This information, when combined with the mineral density, allows for a more accurate calculation of future fracture risk. In turn this can identify more patients who would benefit from treatment to protect their bones and reinforces the evidence for some treatment options.

“Enhanced cross calibration of the new scanner with the old one ensures that follow up scan data is accurate and that we can be confident that measures improvement or decline is accurate. This is important in assessing patients’ treatment response.”

Since its installation in April 2025 over 100 NHS Western Isles patients have already benefitted from this enhanced scanning facility.

NHS Western Isles Chief Executive, Gordon Jamieson, said: “Health promotion, illness prevention and early detection are key objectives for us. This new scanner and technology helps us to continue to do the best we can for our communities."