For a body part thickness of less than 13 cm, which scan speed/mode should be used?

• A. Thin Mode (Lunar)
• B. Standard Mode (Lunar)
• C. Fast Array (Hologic)
• D. Thick Mode (Lunar)

Answer: (A)

Thin Mode is the appropriate scan speed for a body part thickness of less than 13 cm because it is specifically designed to provide optimized measurements in this range. Utilizing Thin Mode allows for greater sensitivity and accuracy in detecting bone density in thinner regions of the body. This setting helps to mitigate the effects of attenuation that can occur in thin areas, thereby enhancing the quality of the imaging and the precision of the bone mineral density (BMD) assessment.

Scan modes such as Standard, Fast Array, or Thick Mode are generally tailored for thicker body parts, which makes them less suitable for a body part thickness of less than 13 cm. Choosing Thin Mode ensures that the equipment operates within its designed capability for assessing bone density accurately in patients with a smaller body frame or in specific anatomical locations where the thickness is reduced.