Information Area:
 Many commonly asked questions and answers can be found on this page regarding technical aspects of the equipment employed by MSS ltd







General Question & Answers

How accurate is the Heel scanner?
The CUBAClinical MK2.6 heel ultrasound system, as used by Mobile Screening Services, has a reported accuracy error of between 2.6% and 4.0%. This compares favourably with hospital based DEXA systems which range from 2.5% at the forearm, 5.0% for hip and 10.0% at the spine.
How do DEXA scan differ from heel ultrasound?
DEXA scanner like the heel ultrasound scanners are both densitometers, i.e. they report on an individuals bone density status. The DEXA does this at the 3 fracture sites whereas ultrasound uses a surrogate site -the heel, as its scanning region.

DEXA measures bone very accuratly at an atomic level to quantify the amount of mineral present, however it is unable to report on any aspect of the bones microstructure. (i.e measures density only)
Ultrasound measures at the molecular level and reports on both bones mineral and structural contents.
(i.e.density and micro-structure both measured)
Is the Heel scanner able to inform me on my risk
of hip fracture?

The heel ultrasound scanner has been the subject of independent medical investigations since 1984. The latest publication appeared in the Journal The Lancet in January 2004. The independent study was peformed by the Medical Research Council of Great Britain on a population of 14,824 men and women aged 42-84 years.
They concluded that Ultrasound predicts fracture by the same degree as does DEXA technology, i.e. a doubling of the risk of fracture for every 1SD decline in ultrasound measurement parameter (BUA).

Will I be advised to purchase 'bone-building' products as a result of my assessment?

 Mobile Screening Services Ltd specialise in the provision of low cost access to heel ultrasound scanning. We have a strict policy of not promoting any drug or food and mineral supplements to any of our clients irrespective of their bone profile.
Clients who are found to have a high fracture risk profile are encourged to discuss their result with their family GP or pharmacist for independent advise on calcium supplementation.

Are the staff pefroming the assessments medically qualified?

 No.
Our staff are specialist densitometry technicians who are qualified to perform accurate densitometry scans using the CUBAClinical Ultrasound Scanner.
Our role is to provide low cost access to ultrasound bone assessments and direct individuals with high risk profile to their medical practitioner for treatment.