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Pitfalls in DXA Scanning

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New Horizons in Osteoporosis Management

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Abstract

Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is recognized as the reference method to measure bone mineral density (BMD) with good precision and reproducibility and acceptable accuracy errors. The World Health Organization (WHO) has established DXA as the best densitometric technique for assessing BMD in postmenopausal women and based the definition of osteoporosis on its results. DXA allows accurate diagnosis of osteoporosis, estimation of fracture risk, and monitoring of patients undergoing treatment. However, DXA studies are commonly performed or analyzed incorrectly leading to major mistakes in diagnosis and therapy. This chapter reviews the fundamentals of positioning, scan analysis, and interpretation of DXA in clinical practice.

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Abbreviations

BMC:

Bone mineral content

BMD:

Bone mineral density

CV:

Coefficient of variation

DXA:

Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry

IOF:

International Osteoporosis Foundation

ISCD:

International Society for Clinical Densitometry

LSC:

Least significant change

PE:

Precision error

ROI:

Region of interest

SD:

Standard deviation

SDD:

Smallest detectable difference

TBS:

Trabecular bone score

VFA:

Vertebral fracture assessment

WHO:

World Health Organization

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Rheumatology Office, Rabat, Morocco

    Abdellah El Maghraoui

  2. Mohamed V University, Rabat, Morocco

    Abdellah El Maghraoui

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  1. Abdellah El Maghraoui
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Correspondence to Abdellah El Maghraoui .

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  1. Canterbury Christ Church University, Canterbury, Kent, UK

    Yasser El Miedany

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El Maghraoui, A. (2022). Pitfalls in DXA Scanning. In: El Miedany, Y. (eds) New Horizons in Osteoporosis Management. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-87950-1_11

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-87950-1_11

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