What does a T-score signify in bone densitometry?

• A. It indicates a patient's body mass index
• B. It indicates how much a patient’s BMD deviates from the average BMD of a healthy young adult
• C. It assesses the overall structural integrity of the bone
• D. It compares BMD across different populations

Answer: (B)

A T-score is a significant metric in bone densitometry that specifically measures a patient's bone mineral density (BMD) in relation to the average BMD of a healthy young adult of the same sex. The T-score reflects how many standard deviations a patient's BMD is above or below this average, which is crucial for diagnosing conditions such as osteoporosis or assessing fracture risk.

This measurement is essential because it helps healthcare providers understand how a patient’s bone density compares to a benchmark that is considered optimal for health. A higher T-score indicates better bone density, while a lower T-score suggests lower bone density, contributing to risk assessments for conditions related to bone weakness and fragility.

The other options, while related to bone health or measurement in some manner, do not accurately define what a T-score is specifically intended to convey in the context of bone densitometry.