X-Ray · Spine, hip, forearm

DEXA Scan Report: T-Score, Z-Score, and Osteoporosis Risk

Q: How long does a DEXA scan report take?

A 5C Network DEXA report is typically delivered in around 30 minutes from the time images reach our platform. Reads are performed by NMC-registered MSK / bone-health-trained radiologists with AI-assisted BMD review, T-score and Z-score classification, and artefact flagging. The signed report includes WHO classification at each site.

Q: What is a T-score?

The T-score compares the patient's bone mineral density to a young-adult reference population, expressed as standard deviations from the young-adult mean. The WHO definitions are: T-score of -1.0 or above is normal, between -1.0 and -2.5 is osteopaenia, and -2.5 or below is osteoporosis. The Z-score, in contrast, compares against an age- and sex-matched reference and is used primarily in younger adults and children.

Q: What BMD diagnoses osteoporosis?

By WHO criteria, a T-score of -2.5 or lower at the lumbar spine, femoral neck, or total hip diagnoses osteoporosis in postmenopausal women and men aged 50 or above. The presence of a fragility fracture can establish a clinical diagnosis of osteoporosis even with a higher T-score. Management decisions sit with the treating clinician — 5C provides the imaging classification and FRAX-compatible inputs.

Q: How often should I get a DEXA scan?

DEXA monitoring intervals depend on the baseline result and clinical context. In general, 1-2 years is a common interval for monitoring known osteopaenia or osteoporosis or response to anti-osteoporosis therapy, and longer intervals may be appropriate for normal baseline scans in low-risk patients. The treating clinician decides the exact interval — 5C reports the comparison when prior DEXA is supplied.

Q: Is DEXA safe?

Yes. DEXA uses a very low dose of X-rays — substantially lower than a standard chest X-ray and far lower than a CT scan — so it is considered a safe screening study for adults. It is not used in pregnancy as a precaution. The benefit for fracture-risk assessment in at-risk patients is well established.

Q: Can 5C report DEXA scans across India?

Yes. DEXA scans from any partner centre across India are reported by 5C through the same hybrid AI + radiologist workflow used for 1,500+ hospitals and diagnostic centres. The signed report is by an NMC-registered radiologist and follows a NABH-aligned workflow with QA and an audit trail, making it medico-legally valid for use in Indian hospitals and clinics.

Hybrid AI + subspecialty radiologist intelligence. Reports in 30 minutes. Critical findings escalated immediately.

What is a DEXA Scan?: A DEXA scan (Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry) is a very low-dose X-ray study that measures bone mineral density (BMD) at standard sites — lumbar spine, hip, and forearm — to assess osteoporosis risk and fracture risk. The scan also produces T-scores and Z-scores benchmarked to age-matched and young-adult populations.
How long does a DEXA Scan report take with 5C?: In India, 5C Network's hybrid intelligence workflow delivers structured DEXA Scan reports in an average of 30 minutes, signed off by a musculoskeletal / bone health specialist. Emergency cases are prioritised for 15-minute turnaround.

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When is a DEXA Scan ordered?

Ordered for postmenopausal women, men over 70, anyone with fragility fractures, long-term steroid users, patients with secondary causes of bone loss (CKD, hyperparathyroidism, malabsorption), and follow-up monitoring after anti-osteoporosis therapy. In India, DEXA screening is recommended for all postmenopausal women and increasingly for younger women with risk factors.

Hybrid Intelligence

How 5C reads a DEXA Scan

Every DEXA Scan on the 5C network is read by AI and a board-certified radiologist — never one without the other. Here's the 4-step workflow.

~30 sec

Bionic AI pre-read

Bionic — 5C's radiology AI trained on 3+ billion medical images — pre-reads the x-ray and flags findings for the radiologist's attention.

On this scan, Bionic flags:

lumbar spine BMD with T-score and Z-score
femoral neck and total hip BMD with T-score and Z-score
forearm BMD (when included for hyperparathyroidism workup)
osteoporosis vs osteopaenia vs normal classification per WHO criteria
fracture risk stratification (FRAX-compatible inputs)
vertebral fractures on VFA (vertebral fracture assessment) when performed
artefacts (osteophytes, aortic calcification, prior fractures) that can distort BMD
comparison with prior DEXA where available

Musculoskeletal / Bone health

Radiologist read

An NMC-registered musculoskeletal / bone health specialist from 5C's 400+ radiologist network reviews every image, validates or corrects AI findings, and adds clinical context.

NMC-registered, medico-legally valid in India
Subspecialty-trained for spine, hip, forearm
Available 24/7 across India time zones

NABH-aligned

QA & peer review

Critical and complex DEXA Scan reads get a second-radiologist review. Random sampling across all reads supports continuous QA.

Double-reading on critical findings
Audit trail for medico-legal use
NABH-aligned escalation protocol

30 min avg

Structured report

Signed PDF report delivered to your PACS / RIS / email in an average of 30 minutes from the time of acquisition.

Structured findings + impression
15-minute SLA for emergencies
Critical-finding phone escalation

What's in a 5C DEXA Scan report

A standard 5C DEXA Scan report is structured to be readable by the referring clinician, the hospital admin reviewing TAT, and any auditor checking NABH compliance.

Clinical history

Indication (postmenopausal screening, fragility fracture, long-term steroids, CKD, hyperparathyroidism, malabsorption, therapy monitoring), age, sex, menopausal status, height, weight, and known risk factors.

Technique

Sites scanned (lumbar spine L1-L4, femoral neck and total hip, forearm where indicated), scanner model, manufacturer reference database, and any technical limitation (positioning, prior surgery, hardware).

BMD by site

BMD values (g/cm²) reported separately for lumbar spine (L1-L4 with excluded vertebrae noted), femoral neck, total hip, and forearm where included.

T-score and Z-score interpretation

T-scores (vs young-adult reference) and Z-scores (vs age-matched reference) at each site, classified per WHO criteria — normal (T-score >= -1.0), osteopaenia (T-score between -1.0 and -2.5), or osteoporosis (T-score <= -2.5).

Fracture risk stratification

Inputs for FRAX-compatible 10-year fracture risk (major osteoporotic fracture and hip fracture) are tabulated where clinical risk factors are supplied by the referring centre.

Artefacts and limitations

Osteophytes, aortic calcification, prior compression fractures, hardware, and other artefacts that can falsely elevate or distort BMD are explicitly noted, with recommendation on which sites are most reliable.

Impression and recommendations

WHO classification per site, dominant diagnosis (normal / osteopaenia / osteoporosis), comparison with prior DEXA where available, and suggested follow-up interval — typically 1-2 years for monitoring or per treating clinician.

DEXA Scan reads, across India

5C Network reports DEXA Scan studies for 1,500+ hospitals and diagnostic centres across India — Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi NCR, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Pune, Ahmedabad, Kochi, Coimbatore, Jaipur, Lucknow, and 13 more tier-2 / tier-3 cities. NMC-registered, NABH-aligned, medico-legally valid.

See all coverage locations

Frequently asked questions

How long does a DEXA scan report take?

A 5C Network DEXA report is typically delivered in around 30 minutes from the time images reach our platform. Reads are performed by NMC-registered MSK / bone-health-trained radiologists with AI-assisted BMD review, T-score and Z-score classification, and artefact flagging. The signed report includes WHO classification at each site.

What is a T-score?

The T-score compares the patient's bone mineral density to a young-adult reference population, expressed as standard deviations from the young-adult mean. The WHO definitions are: T-score of -1.0 or above is normal, between -1.0 and -2.5 is osteopaenia, and -2.5 or below is osteoporosis. The Z-score, in contrast, compares against an age- and sex-matched reference and is used primarily in younger adults and children.

What BMD diagnoses osteoporosis?

By WHO criteria, a T-score of -2.5 or lower at the lumbar spine, femoral neck, or total hip diagnoses osteoporosis in postmenopausal women and men aged 50 or above. The presence of a fragility fracture can establish a clinical diagnosis of osteoporosis even with a higher T-score. Management decisions sit with the treating clinician — 5C provides the imaging classification and FRAX-compatible inputs.

How often should I get a DEXA scan?

DEXA monitoring intervals depend on the baseline result and clinical context. In general, 1-2 years is a common interval for monitoring known osteopaenia or osteoporosis or response to anti-osteoporosis therapy, and longer intervals may be appropriate for normal baseline scans in low-risk patients. The treating clinician decides the exact interval — 5C reports the comparison when prior DEXA is supplied.

Is DEXA safe?

Yes. DEXA uses a very low dose of X-rays — substantially lower than a standard chest X-ray and far lower than a CT scan — so it is considered a safe screening study for adults. It is not used in pregnancy as a precaution. The benefit for fracture-risk assessment in at-risk patients is well established.

Can 5C report DEXA scans across India?

Yes. DEXA scans from any partner centre across India are reported by 5C through the same hybrid AI + radiologist workflow used for 1,500+ hospitals and diagnostic centres. The signed report is by an NMC-registered radiologist and follows a NABH-aligned workflow with QA and an audit trail, making it medico-legally valid for use in Indian hospitals and clinics.

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Integrate 5C DEXA Scan reads at your hospital

30-minute average turnaround. AI + radiologist + QA on every read. NMC-registered, NABH-aligned, medico-legally valid in India. Pay-per-scan — no salary or locum commitments.

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