DEXA
Medical abbreviation · Medical Imaging
| Stands for | Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry |
|---|---|
| Categories | Medical |
DEXA stands for Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, a medical imaging abbreviation.
Low-dose X-ray scan, usually of the hip and lumbar spine, that measures bone mineral density to diagnose osteoporosis and estimate fracture risk. Results are reported as a T-score: -1.0 or higher is normal, between -1.0 and -2.5 is low bone mass (osteopenia), and -2.5 or lower is osteoporosis.
Example: DEXA: femoral neck T-score -2.7; starting alendronate.
Usage notes
The radiation dose is tiny, less than a day of natural background exposure. The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends screening women aged 65 and older and younger postmenopausal women at increased risk. Results are often combined with a FRAX calculation of ten-year fracture probability. Densitometry specialists prefer the shorter abbreviation DXA.
Related abbreviations
More medical imaging abbreviations
- CTH – Computed tomography of the head
- CTP – Computed tomography perfusion
- CTPA – Computed tomography pulmonary angiography
- CTU – Computed tomography urography
- CXR – Chest X-ray
- DBT – Digital breast tomosynthesis
- DICOM – Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine
- DSA – Digital subtraction angiography
- DWI – Diffusion-weighted imaging
- DXA – Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry
- FDG – Fluorodeoxyglucose (F-18)
- FLAIR – Fluid-attenuated inversion recovery
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.