Recommendations for osteoporosis screening with dexa scan. The threestep procedure for dualenergy xray absorptiometry includes image acquisition emphasizing proper patient positioning and regions of interest. A bodyspec dxa scan also known as a dexa scan is a simple, 10minute body fat test that takes a comprehensive snapshot of your exact breakdown of bone, fat tissue, and muscle mass. Practice parameters and technical standards are not inflexible rules or requirements of practice and are. Table of contents continued list of exhibits exhibits page 31 discovery qdr login screen. Interpreting a dxa scan in clinical practice intechopen. Dxa allows accurate diagnosis of osteoporosis, estimation of fracture risk and monitoring of patients undergoing treatment.
Dual energy xray absorptiometry dxa body composition measurements are increasingly utilized in the evaluation of clinical obesity,1,2 muscle loss and wasting sarcopenia,3 and abnormal patterns of fat distribution lipodystrophy. The primary measure for reading a dxa scan when reading a dxa scan, locate the section heading, t score. If so, simple follow this article to get the solution. Interpretation of dxa scans deborah sellmeyer, md professor of medicine division of endocrinology, gerontology, and metabolism stanford university, school of medicine dxa technology xray source two energies with different attenuation profiles collimator pinhole for pencil beam, slit for fan beam patient. Dual energy xray absorptiometry dexa is the technique of choice in the assessment of bone mineral density bmd, the average concentration of mineral in a defined section of bone. However, when dxa studies are performed incorrectly, it can lead to major mistakes in diagnosis and therapy. About dexa scan dexa scan is an instrument used to measure the density of bones. Knowledge and understanding of the process of dxa data and image acquisition. Aug 19, 2012 if the individual tscores given for l1, l2, l3, and l4 are all within 1 to 1.
Dual energy xray absorptiometry dxa radiographic absorptiometry ra. A dxa examination most commonly includes a scan of the lumbar spine and one hip. Dualenergy xray absorptiometry dxa is a technology that is widely used to diagnose osteoporosis, assess fracture risk, and monitor changes in bone mineral density bmd. One common test doctors use is called dual energy xray absorptiometry dxa or. If you would like to understand even more about your dexa scan and how technicians read it, the university of washington offers material for for technicians. Premenopausal i usually have regular menstrual periods perimenopausal irregular periods, but i have had at least 1 period in the past 12 months. A practical approach to interpretation of dualenergy x. Osteoporosis screening, diagnosis, and treatment guideline. In the vast majority of our patients, we use our dxa interpretation to help answer three clinical questions. Fundamentals, methodology, and clinical applications 411 indicaciones y las di. Submitted by medical health test team on october 19, 2012. The scan will usually be carried out by a radiographer, a specialist in taking xray images. Instead, you lie on your back on a flat, open xray table.
A dexa scan dualenerxy xray absorptiometry, uses two different types of waves that are reflected by lean muscle, and bone differently. Dualenergy xray absorptiometry in the diagnosis of. The agematched or zscore compares your bmd to what might be expected in. Dxa files are videos in the amiga and macintosh versions of the feeble files. Procedural steps in dxa scanning can be broken down into scan acquisition, scan analysis, interpretation, and reporting. Depending on specific factors, related to the clinical status of the patient or technical aspects of the test itself, interpretation of a dxa examination ranges from straightforward to complicated. The horizon dxa system has features for a complete fracture risk assessment and more. Dual energy xray absorptiometry dxa procedures manual. A guide to dual energy xray absorptiometry dxa scanning of the axial skeleton by dual energy xray absorptiometry dxa is the gold standard in australia for the measurement of bone mineral density bmd. Overview of dual energy x ray absorptiometry dxa will be used to assess overall skeletal changes that often occur with age by measuring bone mineral content bmc and bone mineral density bmd. Dxa measures the bone density at your spine and hip.
And i file my copies so i can compare results from year to year. It is a safe and noninvasive method of testing which exposes you to less radiation than a mammogram. Bone densitometry in children and adolescents american. A radiologist, a physician specifically trained to supervise and interpret radiology. Specifically, the use of dxa in children requires the radiologist to be a clinical pathologist monitoring the technical aspects of the dxa acquisition, a statistician knowledgeable in the concepts of zscores and least significant. Dexa is the technique of choice to diag nose osteoporosis. Typically, a radiologista doctor who specializes in reading imaging studieswill interpret the results of your bone density. When you change a file s extension, you change the way programs on your computer read the file. When you have a dexa scan, you will not need to go into a tunnel or have an injection. Dualenergy xray absorptiometry dxa is recognized as the reference method to measure bone mineral density bmd with acceptable accuracy errors and good precision and reproducibility.
We explain what dxa files are and recommend software that we know can open or convert your dxa files. Dual energy xray absorptiometry dxa scans to measure bone mineral density bmd at the spine and hip have an important role in the. The course will provide standard practices and applications to raise the quality of dxa scan procedures and its impact on patient care. Thus, the who diagnostic criteria for osteoporosis define osteoporosis in term s of a tscore below i 2. A dexa scan is a technique that is used to measure the density of bone mineral. Youll need to keep very still during the scan so the images are not blurred.
A scan arm will move over the top of your body, but will not touch you and will scan your lower back and hips occasionally we will scan your forearm and for some patients their whole spine after the exam. The horizon dxa system is the latest in densitometry technology, but the dual energy xray does more than just measure bone density. Your dexa scan test results how to interpret the scores. Whole body and hip dxa bone density most operations. View the aafp choosing wisely recommendation on dual energy xray absorptiometry dexa screening for osteoporosis in women under age 65 or men under 70.
Dxa measurements can also be used to provide information on early gender and ethnic changes in the rate of bone accretion and to determine the. Scan acquisition includes the various regions of interest rois, e. Concerns about bone health and potential fragility in children and adolescents have led to a high interest in bone densitometry. The defining characteristic of osteoporosis is reduced bone mineral density as identified by dual energy x ray absorptiometry dxa. Is performed with a dualenergy xray absorptiometry system axial skeleton, in the case of an individual being monitored to assess the response to or efficacy of an fdaapproved osteoporosis drug therapy, is performed with a dualenergy xray absorptiometry dxa,dexa system axial skeleton for monitoring tests or. Dual energy xray absorptiometry dxa, previously dexa is a means of measuring bone mineral density bmd using spectral imaging. Suggested explanation of dxa scans english version it will take a few minutes to position you correctly for each scan and another few minutes to take the scans. Clinical studies have demonstrated that abnormalities in body composition are a key predictor of health risks, including obesityrelated diseases, sarcopenia, and. This video file format was especially designed to run on amiga and macintosh versions. This manual focuses on dxa scan acquisition and analysis. Do not eat foods high in calcium for 34 hours before your dxa scan. Two xray beams, with different energy levels, are aimed at the patients bones.
The core elements of this program focus on performing quality dxa scans, dissecting the data and applying this knowledge to a technologists role in patient care. The frax results are shown on the dxa printout just below the bmd results. The problem is, changing the file extension does not change the file format. Recently, there have been rapid developments in body composition assessment including the analysis and publication.
Ucsf department of radiology and biomedical imaging. N have you had a dxa bone density scan in the past. Mar 28, 2014 preparition for dexa scan what happens during a dexa scan use in paediatrics interpretion what are the risks. The horizon dxa system is a powerful solution to take skeletal health to the next level with higher quality images, patient throughput, reduced interpretation time and improved overall patient management. Dxa interpretation z score number of standard deviations of the subject from the mean of the age, sex and weight matched normal range z mp4, wmv, mov, mpg and more compatible video format on mac or windows. The accurate measurement of bone mineral density using noninvasive methods can be of value in the detection and evaluation of primary and secondary. Interpreting a dxa scan in clinical practice 5 worldwide. Sample hologic body composition dxa scan report pages. Testing your bone density how strong your bones are is the only way to know for sure if you have osteoporosis. The course will cover the technology, clinical applications, interpretation of results, clinical procedures, handling of problem cases, safety, quality assurance and the establishment and operation of a bone densitometry. A bone scan is a nuclear medicine exam that looks for cancer and stress fractures and does not test bmd. The dexa dxa scan is the only test that can diagnose osteoporosis before a broken bone occurs. Dualenergy xray absorptiometry dxa, previously dexa is a means of measuring bone mineral density bmd using spectral imaging.
Pediatric patients with genetic and acquired chronic diseases, immobility, and inadequate nutrition may fail to achieve expected gains in bone size, mass, and strength, leaving them vulnerable to fracture. Performance, interpretation, and clinical application for technologists. Dual energy xray absorptiometry dxa is a technology that is widely used to diagnose osteoporosis, assess fracture risk, and monitor changes in bone mineral density bmd. It is commonly used to diagnose osteoporosis, to assess an. Dexa is a quick method that is accurate exact measurement of bmd, precise reproducible, and flexible different regions can be scanned and is performed with a low radiation dose 3, 4. The dexa scan is the clinical gold standard for measuring fat, muscle, and bone density. Dxa scan and the bone density test in simple terms doctabet. This template should be altered based on clinical judgment, and any federal, state or local regulations, and local facility preferences. This information is critical for accurately assessing the state of a patient or athletes health and defining successful treatment plans and training programs. The order of the report can be tailored to the institution. An original printout and electronic copy of the scan should be sent to the qa center. Oct 19, 2012 a dexa scan is a technique that is used to measure the density of bone mineral. One common test doctors use is called dual energy xray absorptiometry dxa or dexa. A bone density scan uses low dose xrays to see how dense or strong your bones are.
Dual energy xray absorptiometry dxa scans are costeffective examinations to monitor changes in bone mineral density bmd, to assess fracture risk, and to diagnose osteopenia and osteoporosis. Find nearby locations and pricing, to get you an onthespot assessment of your body composition. Whole body and hip dxa bone density most operations manual page 6 whole body and hip dxa bone density version 1. Bone densitometry dexa, dxa bone densitometry, also called dual energy xray absorptiometry, dexa or dxa, uses a very small dose of ionizing radiation to produce pictures of the inside of the body usually the lower or lumbar spine and hips to measure bone loss.
Is performed with a dual energy xray absorptiometry dxa, dexa system axial skeleton for monitoring tests or confirmatory testing if the initial scan was not dxa. Bone mineral measurements lippincott cmeconnection wolters. Body composition measurements from dxa have been available since dxa technology was developed 30 years ago, but are historically underutilized. Understanding the results of your dxa test international. The defining characteristic of osteoporosis is reduced bone mineral density as identified by dual energy xray absorptiometry dxa. Us adult dxa sample report these are suggested guidelines for an adult dxa report in the united states.
Bone densitometry dexa, dxa bone densitometry, also called dualenergy xray absorptiometry, dexa or dxa, uses a very small dose of ionizing radiation to produce pictures of the inside of the body usually the lower or lumbar spine and hips to measure bone loss. Dont be a victim of not knowing your situation, look at the below description of items on reading a dxa scan. Dual energy xray absorptiometry dxa is the gold standard for measuring bone mineral density bmd, making the diagnosis of osteoporosis, monitoring bmd, and is used in the calculation of fracture risk. Overview of dual energy xray absorptiometry dxa will be used to assess overall skeletal changes that often occur with age by measuring bone mineral content bmc and bone mineral density bmd. Should you have landed here as a result of a search.
Pdf interpreting a dxa scan in clinical practice researchgate. Iscd quality bone densitometry course for dxa technologists. New and novel approaches to the interpretation of dxa body composition keep dxa at the forefront of applications ranging from infants to the morbidly obese, and athletes to the elderly. Unlike ct whole body scans which have a significant amount of radiation, dxa dual energy xray absorptiometry whole body scans have a minimal amount of radiation, even much less than xrays. The dxa file is basically zlib compressed video frames, using wav format for audio, while the macintosh version uses microsoft adpcm format for the audio. Please help us by rating our dxa page on a 5star rating system below. Article best practice guidelines for dxa scans and reports. Dxa scanning focuses on two main areas the hip and the spine.
A bone mineral density bmd test is can provide a snapshot of your bone health. The clinical utility of dxa is highly dependent on the quality of the scan acquisition, analysis, and interpretation. May 27, 2018 our complete guide on the dxa scan, aka dexa scan, the bone density test we use to diagnose and measure osteoporosis. Advances in dxa technology, combined with rising rates of obesity and other musculoskeletal disorders, are driving widespread adoption of dxa scans to evaluate body composition. Although they sound alike, the two exams are performed differently and are used for different purposes. A practical approach to interpretation of dualenergy xray. Appointments are usually scheduled at least 14 days after having any procedure that involves contrast materials for example, a ct scan with contrast dye. In clinical practice, recognition of diverse artifacts and disease processes that may influence bmd results can be of major importance in the optimal interpretation of dxa scans. One common test doctors use is called dual energy x ray absorptiometry dxa or dexa. Jan 28, 20 dont be a victim of not knowing your situation, look at the below description of items on reading a dxa scan. Interpretation and pitfalls dualenergy xray absorptiometry dxa is the method of choice to measure bone mineral density in elderly patients and others at risk. The dxa scan is the most accurate and precise body fat test available. Doctors, with the help of a dexa scan, are able to confirm or verify the condition osteoporosis.
The course emphasizes technical excellence in the performance, analysis, and troubleshooting of bone densitometry scans. This is one of the most accurate tests available today and is presently the most widely used technique that is used to measure bone density. However, dxa is highly dependent on the quality of scan acquisition, analysis, and interpretation. The threestep procedure for dual energy xray absorptiometry includes image acquisition emphasizing proper patient positioning and regions of interest. Bone density scan dexa scan how it is performed nhs.
N have you had any exam using ingested barium within the past 7 days. This is a pdf file of an unedited manuscript that has been accepted for publication. This document is an educational tool designed to assist practitioners in providing appropriate radiologic care for patients. Bone density scans are often used to diagnose or assess your risk of osteoporosis, a health condition that weakens bones and makes them more likely to break. The most commonly used bmd test is called a central dual energy xray absorptiometry, or central dxa test. Understanding what is happening can help you understand how to fix the problem. The dxa file is composed of zlib a software library used for data compression compressed video frames, with wav format for audio. Dxa, which stands for dualxray absorptiometry, is a low radiation xray capable of detecting very small percentages of bone loss. The test can identify osteoporosis, determine your risk for fractures broken bones, and measure your response to osteoporosis treatment. Acquisition and accurate interpretation of bone densitometry scans in the pediatric patient are necessary first steps toward any clinical assessment process. When soft tissue absorption is subtracted out, the bone mineral density bmd can be determined from the absorption of each beam by bone. This course, which focuses on quality dxa, is innovative, interactive and informative.
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