Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is the principal x-ray technology used to diagnose osteoporosis in its early, asymptomatic stages, to assess treatment efficacy, and to guide treatment decisions.

Introduction * What prompted the authors to write this text * A brief comment on the Bone & Joint Decade * A brief word on the epidemiology of osteoporosis * Primary disease * Secondary disease * That seen in chronic disease, due to Rx, men, bariatric surgery pts. * Introduction to Densitometry * The gold standard for non-invasive skeletal assessment * Ultimate goal: prevent fractures * Limitations: only a 'snap-shot'; can not reveal what has gone on with the bones up to that point * The many challenges of DXA * Obtaining the images * Interpreting the data * Even radiologists are prone to errors * Specific training is essential * Clinical application to the individual patient * Looking into the future * New technologies * Vision of an 'optimal' noninvasive, accurate, measure of bone quality * Chief Medical Officer aboard the USS Enterprise: Lt Commander Leonard "Bones" McCoy * Hand-held 'tricorder' *3D-QCT * Finite element analysis (FEA) SECTION I: Fundamental Concepts 1. The History of Non-Invasive Skeletal Assessment * Imaging Techniques * Radiographic absorptiometry * SPA * DPA * QCT * DXA * QUS * PIXI 2. Common Terms and Abbreviations Defined * Accuracy * Apparent bone mineral density * BMD = areal density in g/cm2 in this text * Areal vs. volumetric * Bone accretion * Bone markers * Bone Mineral Density * Coefficient of variation * Database * Distal 3rd Radius * DPA * DXA, Central * DXA, Peripheral * Femoral Neck * Femoral Shaft * FRAX - incl application limited to untreated pts. - should not be completed by Techs; emphasize importance of clinical judgment * Hip, Total * LSC * Lumbar spine (L1 - L4)

Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is the principal x-ray technology used to diagnose osteoporosis in its early, asymptomatic stages, to assess treatment efficacy, and to guide treatment decisions. It remains the gold standard today. A DXA Primer for the Practicing Clinician: A Case-Based Manual for Understanding and Interpreting Bone Densitometry is based on actual clinical encounters and treatment dilemmas encountered by the authors. The content is derived from years of clinical practice and presentations given by the authors at regional and national conferences. It exemplifies not only the complete body of knowledge provided through these lectures but also the full range of previously undiscussed nuances of DXA interpretation. This practical, easy-to-read text captures many of the common challenges of DXA interpretation that clinicians often encounter. The central focus of the book is the presentation of what is normal and what is problematic when using DXA. It presents real-life case histories, their corresponding DXA images, the problems encountered and their solutions. Unique in approach and presentation, this one-of-a-kind case-based manual will be of immense value to all clinicians—and students—motivated to optimize their diagnostic skills and assessment of patients with abnormal bone densities

From the reviews:“This book details the practical aspects of requesting and interpreting the results of the bone densitometry test. … This is a valuable book for clinicians who order this test, patients who are being referred for the examination, and administrators who fund the studies, because it has a relatively high value clinically although misunderstood. This book should be in every training program library.” (Vincent F. Carr, Doody’s Book Reviews, March, 2014)