Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (DXA)
DXA (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) densitometer, used primarily to evaluate bone mineral density and body composition
DXA has long been the gold-standard for bone mineral density (BMD) measurements at the hip, spine and forearm. BMD results are used to screen, detect, diagnose and manage osteoporosis and osteopenia. | |
DXA uses have now expanded to include identification of atypical femur fractures, structural analyses of the hip and silent vertebral fractures. In addition, DXA is used to assess cardiovascular risk factors: abdominal aortic calcification and body composition – including lean mass and visceral fat. | |
Complete Atypical Femur Fracture – Xray Imaging | Extended Femur scans Early detection of atypical femur fractures can help prevent complete fractures, as shown to the left. Instant vertabral assessment Vertebral fractures often go undetected, and can be a sign of undiagnosed osteoporosis. This scan allows analysis of the size, height and shape of the vertebral bodies (the bones in your spine), to detect these fractures. |
Abdominal aortic calcification Screening for abdominal aortic calcification using instant vertebral assessment may identify people at a higher risk of cardiovascular disease. | |
Body composition Skeletal muscle mass and adipose tissue can be quantified easily with a whole body DXA scan. | Hip structural analysis Geometry of the bone can be analysed to estimate measurements such as bone mass, cross-sectional area and cortical thickness. |
With our specialised add-on program, our DXA machine can also analyse the deterioration of the micro-architecture of the lumbar spine by reporting a trabecular bone score (TBS). | |
When combined, BMD and TBS create a powerful prediction of fracture risk (roughly 20% better than using BMD alone, with or without other risk factors such as substance abuse, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis etc). | |
DXA uses a low dose of x-ray radiation and is otherwise non-invasive. You can view the product brochure here. |