Used for measure bone density and assess the risk of bone fractures.
Safe and painless, the 10 minute DEXA scan is the most reliable test to determine even the earliest stages of bone loss associated with osteoporosis. Dual Energy X-ray Absortiometry, or DEXA scanning, is currently the most widely used method to measure bone mineral density. Dexa Scanning. Dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) is an accurate and widely used technique to measure bone mineral density (BMD). BMD is a means of determining a person’s propensity for fracture. DEXA is a safe, accurate, and precise technique to assess the mineral content of the skeleton. Dexa Scans are used to measure bone mineral density because they: 1  are more accurate than regular X-rays. 2  A person would need to lose 20-30% of their bone density before it would show up on an X-ray. 3  require less radiation exposure than CAT scans or Radiographic Absorptiometry. SPECIAL NOTE: Dexa scans are not the only kind of bone density test. If you want information about the other tests available go to: Bone density tests. Click here to read more about dexa scans and what the results mean: T scores, Z scores and more. Introduction. A DEXA scan is a special type of X-ray that measures bone mineral density (BMD). DEXA stands for dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. This type of scan is also often known as DXA, or dual X-ray absorptiometry. It's also sometimes referred to as a bone density scan or a bone densitometry scan. A DEXA scan is a special type of X-ray that measures bone mineral density (BMD). DEXA stands for dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. This type of scan is also often known as DXA, or dual X-ray absorptiometry Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA, previously DEXA) is a means of measuring bone mineral density (BMD). Two X-ray beams with different energy levels are aimed at the patient's bones. When soft tissue absorption is subtracted out, the BMD can be determined from the absorption of each beam by bone.  Dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is the preferred technique for measuring bone mineral density (BMD). DXA has also been called dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, or DEXA. DXA is relatively easy to perform and the amount of radiation exposure is low. A DXA scanner is a machine that produces two X-ray beams, each with different energy levels. One beam is high energy while the other is low energy.  A dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan, also called a bone density scan, is a common technique used to measure bone density. This completely painless procedure is easily performed and exposes the patient to minimal radiation. DEXA Scan Preparation. 1  No prior radionuclide studies for 2 weeks.  When a DEXA (DXA) scan is used. DEXA (DXA) scans are used to measure bone density and assess the risk of bone fractures. They're often used to help diagnose bone-related conditions such as osteoporosis (or the risk of developing it). Total body DEXA scans can also be used to measure body composition (the amount of bone, fat and muscle in the body). A DEXA scan also uses a low dose of radiation, which means the risks to health are much lower than standard X-rays. Doctors use the results of DEXA scans to help them decide whether treatment for low bone mineral density is needed. Bone density scanning, also called dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) or bone densitometry, is an enhanced form of x-ray technology that is used to measure bone loss. DXA is today's established standard for measuring bone mineral density (BMD). 
http://ircdexa.com/dexa/about/index.html http://www.osteopenia3.com/dexa-scans.html http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/DEXA-scan/Pages/Introduction.aspx https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dual-energy_X-ray_absorptiometry http://www.webmd.com/osteoporosis/guide/dexa-scan http://www.northshore.org/nuclear-medicine/diagnostic-tests/bone-density-scan-dexa/ http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/DEXA-scan/Pages/Why-is-it-necessary.aspx http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=dexa
what is a dexa scan used for