AMA Clinical Examples in Radiology - 2015 Issue 3 (Summer)
Radiology Test Case: Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry and Vertebral Fracture Assessment
Radiology Test Case: Radiology Test Case The radiology test case is provided for coding professionals to test their knowledge. Please take some time to review and code the case. Consider your answers as to how the procedure is reported in 2015. Once you are confident with your answer, turn to page 12 for the correct answer and discussion. Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry and Vertebral Fracture Assessment CLINICAL HISTORY The patient is a 70-year-old woman on corticosteroid therapy with a history of vertebral fracture and a subsequent loss of height of 2 inches. TECHNIQUE A quantitative bone mineral density (BMD) and...
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Article Overview
This article presents a radiology test case for coding professionals reviewing a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry study with vertebral fracture assessment. It is framed as a 2015 coding exercise and includes clinical history, technique, imaging findings, bone mineral density measurements, and fracture-risk reporting so readers can evaluate how the procedure would be reported.
Why This Topic Matters
It helps radiology coders and other revenue cycle professionals understand what clinical and technical details are present in a DXA/VFA exam case and how such cases are typically analyzed for coding education.
Article Sections
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Clinical History
Provides the patient context and background information relevant to the imaging study.
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Technique
Describes the imaging approach, measurement types, and the general findings reported from the exam.
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FRAX Results
Summarizes fracture-risk output included with the study report.
What You Will Learn
- The clinical context for a DXA and vertebral fracture assessment case
- The types of measurements and findings typically included in a bone density report
- How fracture-risk reporting is presented in a radiology test case
- How the case is framed for coding review in a 2015 context
Who Should Read This
- Radiology coders
- Coding educators
- Revenue cycle professionals
- Medical coding students
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