DXA
Medical abbreviation · Medical Imaging
| Stands for | Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry |
|---|---|
| Categories | Medical |
DXA stands for Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, a medical imaging abbreviation.
Preferred technical abbreviation for the bone density scan, used by the International Society for Clinical Densitometry and in guidelines and research. The scanner compares absorption of two X-ray energies to separate bone from soft tissue.
Example: DXA follow-up in two years to assess response to denosumab.
Usage notes
Beyond bone density, DXA measures body composition (fat and lean mass) and can detect vertebral fractures with a lateral spine image called vertebral fracture assessment. Z-scores, which compare with age-matched peers rather than young adults, are used for premenopausal women, men under 50 and children. Serial scans should be done on the same machine for valid comparison.
Related abbreviations
More medical imaging abbreviations
- CXR – Chest X-ray
- DBT – Digital breast tomosynthesis
- DEXA – Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry
- DICOM – Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine
- DSA – Digital subtraction angiography
- DWI – Diffusion-weighted imaging
- FDG – Fluorodeoxyglucose (F-18)
- FLAIR – Fluid-attenuated inversion recovery
- Fluoro – Fluoroscopy
- fMRI – Functional magnetic resonance imaging
- GBCA – Gadolinium-based contrast agent
- HRCT – High-resolution computed tomography
See all 58 medical imaging abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.