title: Pediatric DXA: technique and interpretation.
abstract: This article reviews dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) technique and interpretation with emphasis on the considerations unique to pediatrics. Specifically, the use of DXA in children requires the radiologist to be a "clinical pathologist" monitoring the technical aspects of the DXA acquisition, a "statistician" knowledgeable in the concepts of Z-scores and least significant changes, and a "bone specialist" providing the referring clinician a meaningful context for the numeric result generated by DXA. The patient factors that most significantly influence bone mineral density are discussed and are reviewed with respect to available normative databases. The effects the growing skeleton has on the DXA result are also presented. Most important, the need for the radiologist to be actively involved in the technical and interpretive aspects of DXA is stressed. Finally, the diagnosis of osteoporosis should not be made on DXA results alone but should take into account other patient factors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Columbus Children's Hospital, 700 Children's Way, Columbus, OH 43205, USA. binkovil@chi.osu.edu
authors.forename: Larry A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Binkovitz
authors.forename: Maria J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Henwood
mesh_terms: D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D015519:Bone Density; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011857:Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D051598:Whole Body Imaging