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Bone scan

Updated: 6/7/2024
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13y ago

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Definition

A bone scan is an imaging test that shows areas of increased or decreased bone turnover (metabolism).

Alternative Names

Scintigraphy - bone

How the test is performed

A bone scan involves injecting a radioactive material (radiotracer) into a vein. The substance travels through the bloodstream to the bones and organs. As it wears away, it gives off radiation. This radiation is detected by a camera that slowly scans your body. The camera takes pictures of how much radiotracer collects in the bones.

If a bone scan is done to see if you have a bone infection, images may be taken shortly after the radioactive material is injected and again 3 to 4 hours later, when it has collected in the bones. This is called a 3-phase bone scan.

To evaluate metastatic bone disease, images are taken only after the 3 to 4 hour delay.

The scanning part of the test will last about 1 hour. The scanner's camera may move above and around you. You may need to change positions.

You will probably be asked to drink extra water after you receive the radiotracer to keep the material from collecting in your bladder.

How to prepare for the test

You must remove jewelry and other metal objects. You may be asked to wear a hospital gown.

Tell your doctor if you are or may be pregnant.

Do not take any medicine with bismuth in it, such as Pepto-Bismol, for 4 days before the test.

How the test will feel

There is a small amount of pain when the needle is inserted. During the scan there is no pain. You must remain still during the examination, and you will be instructed when to change positions by the technologist.

You may experience some discomfort due to lying still for a prolonged period of time.

Why the test is performed

A bone scan is used to:

  • Diagnose a bone tumor or cancer
  • Determine if a cancer that began elsewhere in your body has spread to the bones; Common cancers that spread to the bones include breast, lung, prostate, thyroid, and kidney.
  • Diagnose a fracture, when it cannot be seen on a regular x-ray (most commonly hip fractures, stress fractures in the feet or legs, or spine fractures)
  • Diagnose a bone infection (osteomyelitis)
  • Diagnose or determine the cause of bone pain, when no other cause has been identified
  • Evaluate metabolic disorders, such as osteomalacia, renal osteodystrophy, primary hyperparathyroidism, osteoporosis, complex regional pain syndrome, and Paget's disease
Normal Values

Test results are considered normal if the radiotracer moves evenly throughout all the bones in your body.

What abnormal results mean

The images should show that the radioactive material has been evenly distributed throughout the body. There should be no areas of increased or decreased distribution. "Hot spots" are areas where there is an increased accumulation of the radioactive material. "Cold spots" are areas that have taken up less of the radioactive material.

What the risks are

If you are pregnant or nursing, the test may be postponed to prevent exposing the developing baby to radiation. If you must have the test while breastfeeding, you should pump and throw away the breast milk for the next 2 days.

The amount of radiation injected into your vein is very small, and nearly all radiation is gone from the body within 2 - 3 days. The radiotracer that is used exposes you to a very small amount of radiation. The risk is probably no greater than with routine or conventional x-rays.

Risks related to the bone radiotracer are rare, but may include:

There is a slight risk of infection or bleeding when the needle is inserted into a vein.

Special considerations

Some abnormalities that may be identified on radionuclide bone scans include:

  • Arthritis and other degenerative diseases of the bones
  • Avascular necrosis
  • Bone infections (osteomyelitis)
  • Bone tumors
  • Fibrous dysplasia
  • Fractures
  • Paget's disease
  • Radiation changes
  • Rickets
  • Tumors that have spread from other parts of the body to the bone (metastatic disease)

It is important to understand that bone scan findings must be compared with other imaging studies, in addition to clinical information. You should always discuss the significance of abnormal findings with your health care provider.

References

Robert E. Coleman, Ingunn Holen, Bone metastases. In: Abeloff MD, Armitage JO, Niederhuber JE, Kastan MB, McKena WG, eds. Clinical Oncology. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2008:chap 57

Baker LH. Bone tumors: primary and metastatic bone lesions. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 212.

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13y ago
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1mo ago

A bone scan is a nuclear imaging test that helps to diagnose and track conditions affecting the bones, such as fractures, infections, tumors, or Arthritis. It involves injecting a small amount of radioactive material into the bloodstream and then using a special camera to detect abnormalities in the bones. The test is typically used to assess bone health, identify bone damage, or determine the spread of cancer to the bones.

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Wiki User

12y ago
Definition

A bone scan is an imaging test that shows areas of increased or decreased bone turnover (metabolism).

Alternative Names

Scintigraphy - bone

How the test is performed

A bone scan involves injecting a radioactive material (radiotracer) into a vein. The substance travels through your blood to the bones and organs. As it wears off, it gives off a little bit of radiation. This radiation is detected by a camera that slowly scans your body. The camera takes pictures of how much radiotracer collects in the bones.

If a bone scan is done to see if you have a bone infection, images may be taken shortly after the radioactive material is injected and again 3 to 4 hours later, when it has collected in the bones. This is called a 3-phase bone scan.

To evaluate metastatic bone disease, images are taken only after the 3 to 4 hour delay.

The scanning part of the test will last about 1 hour. The scanner's camera may move above and around you. You may need to change positions.

You will probably be asked to drink extra water after you receive the radiotracer to keep the material from collecting in your bladder.

How to prepare for the test

You must remove jewelry and other metal objects. You may be asked to wear a hospital gown.

Tell your doctor if you are or may be pregnant.

Do not take any medicine with bismuth in it, such as Pepto-Bismol, for 4 days before the test.

How the test will feel

There is a small amount of pain when the needle is inserted. During the scan there is no pain. You must remain still during the examination, and you will be instructed when to change positions by the technologist.

You may experience some discomfort due to lying still for a prolonged period of time.

Why the test is performed

A bone scan is used to:

  • Diagnose a bone tumor or cancer
  • Determine if a cancer that began elsewhere in your body has spread to the bones; common cancers that spread to the bones include breast, lung, prostate, thyroid, and kidney.
  • Diagnose a fracture, when it cannot be seen on a regular x-ray (most commonly hip fractures, stress fractures in the feet or legs, or spine fractures)
  • Diagnose a bone infection (osteomyelitis)
  • Diagnose or determine the cause of bone pain, when no other cause has been identified
  • Evaluate metabolic disorders, such as osteomalacia, renal osteodystrophy, primary hyperparathyroidism, osteoporosis, complex regional pain syndrome, and Paget's disease
Normal Values

Test results are considered normal if the radiotracer moves evenly throughout all the bones in your body.

What abnormal results mean

The images should show that the radioactive material has been evenly distributed throughout the body. There should be no areas of increased or decreased distribution. "Hot spots" are areas where there is an increased accumulation of the radioactive material. "Cold spots" are areas that have taken up less of the radioactive material.

What the risks are

If you are pregnant or nursing, the test may be postponed to prevent exposing the developing baby to radiation. If you must have the test while breastfeeding, you should pump and throw away the breast milk for the next 2 days.

The amount of radiation injected into your vein is very small, and nearly all radiation is gone from the body within 2 - 3 days. The radiotracer that is used exposes you to a very small amount of radiation. The risk is probably no greater than with routine or conventional x-rays.

Risks related to the bone radiotracer are rare, but may include:

There is a slight risk of infection or bleeding when the needle is inserted into a vein.

Special considerations

Some abnormalities that may be identified on radionuclide bone scans include:

  • Arthritis and other degenerative diseases of the bones
  • Avascular necrosis
  • Bone infections (osteomyelitis)
  • Bone tumors
  • Fibrous dysplasia
  • Fractures
  • Paget's disease
  • Radiation changes
  • Rickets
  • Tumors that have spread from other parts of the body to the bone (metastatic disease)

It is important to understand that bone scan findings must be compared with other imaging studies, in addition to clinical information. You should always discuss the significance of abnormal findings with your health care provider.

References

Coleman RE, Holen I. Bone metastases. In: Abeloff MD, Armitage JO, Niederhuber JE, Kastan MB, McKena WG, eds. Clinical Oncology. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2008:chap 57

Lerner A, Antman KH. Primary and metastatic malignant bone lesions.In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds.Cecil Medicine. 24th ed.Philadelphia,PA: Saunders Elsevier; 2011:chap 208.

Reviewed By

Review Date: 12/06/2011

David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Assistant in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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Yes, but bone scan has to be completed first.


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No, a bone scan shows bone metabolism.


Is a bone scan better than an MRI scan?

A bone scan, or x-ray is simply a different type of scan than an MRI. No kind of scan is better than another, it simply depends what the scan is trying to ascertain.


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Does old break show on bone scan?

An old fracture may not show up on a bone scan if it has completely healed with no active inflammation or increased metabolic activity present at the site. The presence of old breaks on a bone scan largely depends on the healing process and the resolution of any previous damage to the bone.


It a CAT scan which color represents the most dense bone tissue?

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What is a bone scan?

i want to know what actually goes into a bone scan. A nuclear medicine bone scan images the physiology, or function of the bones in the body. An injection of the material your bones use to repair themselves if given to the patient. The only difference between the drug and the natural substance is tha we attach a radioactive atom to each of the drug molecules so that our cameras are able to image the drug as the body uses it. The idea of the scan is that any damage or abnormality of the bone will have an increase, or decrease in bone repair, therefore showing up lighter, or darker on the scan.


What do black spots indicate on bone scan?

Black spots on a bone scan may indicate areas of increased bone activity or hot spots, which can be caused by conditions such as fractures, infection, inflammation, or bone tumors. These areas typically show up as dark areas on the scan due to higher uptake of the radioactive tracer used in the scan.