DXA

Dual X-ray absorptometry.

A technique for scanning bone and measuring bone mineral density (BMD).

A DXA scanner is a large machine that produces 2 X-ray beams, each with different energy levels.

One beam is high energy while the other is low energy.

The amount of x-rays that pass through the bone is measured for each beam.

This will vary depending on the thickness of the bone.

Based on the difference between the 2 beams, the bone density can be measured.

DXA is relatively easy to perform and the amount of radiation exposure is considered low.

DXA is also called dual energy X-ray absorptometry or DEXA