DEXA (dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry) chart Bone mineral density (BMD) is best assessed with radiologic imaging, and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scans provide a standardized way of assessing risk for fracture from osteoporosis A graphical display of a DEXA scan for hip (femur) comparing BMD age and T-score (in standard deviations above or below comparable healthy young adult woman’s mean BMD) The asterisk representing a woman at age 48 is within expected range for age The circle marks BMD for a woman age 60 and is concerning for greater bone loss from osteopenia (−1 to −2.5) but not yet osteoporosis The X marks the BMD for a woman age 76 and is in range of osteoporosis (exceeding −2.5) with increased risk for fracture
Klatt EC. Robbins and Cotran Atlas of Pathology, 3rd Ed. Philadelphia: Saunders, 2015. 281