All of the following statements regarding dual x-ray absorptiometry are true, except:

Dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is a widely utilized technique for measuring bone mineral density (BMD) and assessing osteoporosis risk. The statements regarding DXA reflect key principles and operational characteristics of this imaging method.

The first statement, which suggests that the radiation dose is considerable, is not accurate when discussing DXA. In fact, one of the advantages of this technique is that it utilizes very low doses of radiation compared to other imaging modalities, such as computed tomography (CT) scans or standard X-rays. Therefore, this statement does not align with the facts surrounding DXA.

The second statement is correct because DXA indeed employs two different x-ray photon energies. This dual-energy approach helps differentiate between bone and soft tissue, enhancing the accuracy of the density measurements.

The third statement also holds true, as the technique calculates the attenuation of x-ray photons by bone. The amount of x-ray energy absorbed by the bone correlates with its mineral content, which is critical for determining BMD.

Lastly, DXA is explicitly designed to evaluate bone mineral density, which is the primary use of the technology. In summary, the correct answer relates to the misconception about the radiation dose, as DXA is characterized by its relatively low radiation exposure and is