What is a bone scan and when is it needed?
A bone scan is a type of nuclear imaging that can see the health of your skeletal system. While a standard X-ray can diagnose fractures, broken bones and even arthritis, a bone scan provides more detail to identify all types of bone diseases. The scan can pick up any abnormalities with bone tissue and spot changes over time.
Indications:
- Avascular necrosis
- Osteomyelitis
- Trauma
- Benign and malignant bone lesions
- Fractures
- Infection/disease
- Pain
What are the risks?
Please let the office know if you are pregnant and/or breastfeeding, as the radiotracers maybe harmful to a fetus.
The risk to other people is very low, so these scans are considered safe and effective ways to diagnose disease.
How do you prepare for a bone scan?
- Well hydrated
- Wear comfortable clothing
- No restrictions
How does a bone scan work?
3-phase bone scan - 15 minutes for the injection, return 3 hours later for another scan which will take 30-45 minutes
Rapid serial images during the first pass of the radiopharmaceutical through the circulatory system
A nuclear medicine technologist starts an IV in your arm. A small amount of radioactive material is injected into the IV. Once the radiotracer is injected, a special camera takes immediate images. The patient will come back 3 hours later for more images, which will take 30-45 min.
Whole body bone scan - 15 minutes for the injection, return 3 hours later for another scan which will take 30-45 minutes
A nuclear medicine technologist starts an IV in your arm. A small amount of radioactive material is injected into the IV. The patient will return 3 hours later for the scan, which will take 30-45 min.
SPECT - 30 minutes
SPECT is a 3D image of the area of concern, this is done in conjunction with a 3ph and/or a whole body bone scan
What should I expect af
It usually take 24-48 hours for your doctor to receive a report. Drink plenty of fluids to help flush the radiotracer out of your body, what does not get flushed out of your body will decay out. There are no other restrictions.