Dexa Course

Lesson 1 • Physics of Dual-Energy X-Ray

Covers photon attenuation, energy levels, and tissue differentiation mechanics. Connects physical principles to why DEXA produces distinct tissue measurements.

Lesson 2 • DEXA System Components Overview

Identifies hardware components including X-ray source, detector array, and table. Grounds students in equipment anatomy before operating procedures.

Lesson 3 • Clinical Applications of DEXA

Maps DEXA use cases: bone density, body composition, and vertebral assessment. Establishes clinical relevance that motivates technical learning.

Lesson 1 • Pre-Scan Patient Assessment

Covers intake screening, contraindication review, and informed consent. Ensures clinicians identify factors that alter scan protocol before imaging begins.

Lesson 2 • Patient Instruction and Clothing

Teaches verbal instructions, artifact-causing clothing removal, and gown use. Reduces metal and dense-material artifacts that corrupt scan data.

Lesson 3 • Whole-Body and Forearm Positioning

Addresses full-body layout for composition scans and forearm immobilization. Extends positioning competency to non-spine and non-hip acquisition modes.

Lesson 4 • Lumbar Spine Positioning Technique

Details supine positioning, leg elevation block use, and spine flattening. Proper lumbar positioning eliminates lordosis-related measurement error.

Lesson 1 • Scanner Calibration and Daily QC

Explains phantom scanning, calibration verification, and drift detection. Daily QC is the foundation of long-term measurement precision and accreditation compliance.

Lesson 2 • Scan Mode Selection

Covers mode options such as array, fan-beam, and pencil-beam and their trade-offs. Correct mode selection balances dose, speed, and resolution for each clinical task.

Lesson 3 • Image Quality Evaluation Criteria

Defines acceptance criteria: motion, positioning errors, artifacts, and ROI placement. Students learn to accept, repeat, or flag scans based on objective quality standards.

Lesson 4 • Executing the Proximal Femur Scan

Guides femur scan initiation, field centering on the femoral neck, and scan completion. Reinforces positioning skills with live acquisition workflow.

Lesson 1 • Understanding ROI Anatomy

Maps vertebral body boundaries, femoral subregions, and forearm ROI landmarks. Anatomical knowledge is prerequisite to correct software-assisted ROI placement.

Lesson 2 • Manual ROI Editing Techniques

Provides hands-on editing of intervertebral lines, neck box rotation, and edge boundaries. Editing precision directly impacts BMD accuracy and reproducibility.

Lesson 3 • Automated ROI Placement Review

Evaluates software-generated ROI lines for accuracy and common auto-placement errors. Teaches critical review before accepting automated results.

Lesson 1 • Reporting Bone Density Findings

Structures a complete, compliant bone density report including site values, classification, and clinical context. Ensures reports meet professional and accreditation standards.

Lesson 2 • Interpreting Results in Special Populations

Addresses Z-score use in premenopausal women, men under 50, and children. Prevents misclassification by applying population-appropriate reference standards.

Lesson 3 • Diagnostic Classification Standards

Applies internationally recognized T-score thresholds to classify normal, low bone mass, and osteoporosis. Connects classification to clinical management pathways.

Lesson 4 • BMD, T-Score, and Z-Score Explained

Defines bone mineral density units, T-score derivation from reference databases, and Z-score age-matching. Establishes the statistical foundation for all diagnostic classification.

Lesson 1 • Body Composition Measurement Principles

Explains the three-compartment model separating fat, lean, and bone mineral. Establishes the conceptual framework underlying all DEXA composition outputs.

Lesson 2 • Whole-Body Scan Acquisition for Composition

Covers scan mode selection, patient centering, and arm placement for composition scans. Correct acquisition setup is prerequisite to valid regional analysis.

Lesson 3 • Regional Body Composition Analysis

Teaches placement of regional dividing lines for trunk, arms, legs, and android/gynoid zones. Regional accuracy depends on consistent anatomical landmark identification.

Lesson 4 • Longitudinal Composition Monitoring

Applies precision error concepts to determine meaningful change in serial composition scans. Enables clinicians to distinguish true change from measurement variability.

Lesson 1 • VFA Indications and Clinical Value

Defines patient selection criteria and clinical scenarios where VFA changes management. Establishes when VFA is warranted to justify added acquisition time.

Lesson 2 • Lateral Spine Image Acquisition

Covers patient repositioning for lateral decubitus, scan field setup, and image optimization. Acquisition quality determines whether vertebral morphology is assessable.

Lesson 3 • Reporting VFA Findings

Structures VFA report elements including vertebral levels assessed, deformities found, and grade assigned. Accurate reporting drives appropriate clinical follow-up.

Lesson 1 • Precision Error and LSC Calculation

Teaches in-vivo precision studies, root mean square coefficient of variation, and least significant change. Precision data is required to interpret serial BMD meaningfully.

Lesson 2 • Serial Scan Monitoring Protocols

Establishes monitoring intervals, same-machine requirements, and cross-calibration principles. Consistent protocols prevent false change conclusions in longitudinal care.

Lesson 3 • Quality Assurance Program Management

Builds a facility-level QA program including QC trending, staff training records, and audit cycles. Moves students from individual competency to program oversight responsibility.

Lesson 4 • Challenging Patient Scenarios

Addresses obese patients, implants, scoliosis, and prior fractures that complicate standard protocols. Prepares operators for real-world cases that deviate from ideal conditions.