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Diagnostic Tests – DEXA Scanning (Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry)
1. What does it show?
A DEXA scan measures bone mineral density (BMD) and is the standard test used to diagnose osteoporosis. It compares a patient’s bone density to that of a healthy young adult population and reports results as T-scores, allowing assessment of fracture risk and bone loss severity.
2. When do you answer a DEXA scan?
You should select DEXA scanning when evaluating patients at high risk for osteoporosis, including:
Exam pearl:
Any condition causing increased bone resorption or decreased bone formation → think DEXA scan.
3. What is the treatment?
Management of osteoporosis includes:
1. What does it show?
A DEXA scan measures bone mineral density (BMD) and is the standard test used to diagnose osteoporosis. It compares a patient’s bone density to that of a healthy young adult population and reports results as T-scores, allowing assessment of fracture risk and bone loss severity.
2. When do you answer a DEXA scan?
You should select DEXA scanning when evaluating patients at high risk for osteoporosis, including:
- Postmenopausal women
- Patients with high cortisol states, such as:
- Cushing’s syndrome
- Chronic exogenous steroid use
- Patients with hyperthyroidism
- Patients with hyperparathyroidism
Exam pearl:
Any condition causing increased bone resorption or decreased bone formation → think DEXA scan.
3. What is the treatment?
Management of osteoporosis includes:
- Estrogen therapy (selected postmenopausal patients)
- Bisphosphonates (first-line therapy for most patients)
- Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) such as:
- Raloxifene
- TamoxifeN
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