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Bone Scan by Amy Scholten, MPH

Definition

A bone scan is a test that detects areas of increased or decreased bone activity. These may indicate bone injury or disease. Radioactive isotopes and tracer chemicals are used to highlight problem areas.

Skeletal System

Reasons for test

The test is done to detect an abnormal process involving your bone, including the following:

Stress injuries (eg, stress fracture, shin splints)
Infection (osteomyelitis)
Arthritis
Bone tumors
Cancer
Trauma
Metabolic disorders (eg, Paget’s Disease)
Nutritional disorders that can affect bones, like low vitamin D levels (eg, rickets)
Death of an area of bone tissues due to blocked circulation (avascular necrosis)

Stress Fractures

$Tib / Fib fracture$

Possible Complications

Complications are rare, but no procedure is completely free of risk. If you are planning to have a bone scan, your doctor will review a list of possible complications, which may include:

Allergic reaction to the injected material
Infection

Some people worry about the use of slightly radioactive material. The amount of radioactivity is very small. It is eliminated from the body within 2-3 days.

Be sure to discuss these risks with your doctor before the test.

What to Expect

Prior to Test

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant.

Three hours before the scan, you will receive an injection of radioactive tracer chemicals. You should drink plenty of fluids between the time of the injection and the scan. You will also be asked to empty your bladder before the scan.

Description of the Test

You will lie on your back on an imaging table. A camera above and below the table will slowly scan you. You may be asked to move into various positions as the scan is done. It is important to lie still when not told to move. The camera will be able to detect small amounts of radioactivity in the injected material. This will allow the doctor to see areas where there may be bone injury or disease.

After Test

The injection site will be checked for redness and swelling.

How Long Will It Take?

About 20-60 minutes

Will It Hurt?

No, the test is painless, except for the mild discomfort of the injection.

Results

If your bone tissue is healthy, your scan will show that the chemical has spread evenly to all of your bones. If there is an area of disease, darker or lighter areas (hot or cold spots) will be evident on the scan. These will show the areas with abnormally active bone breakdown or repair.

Depending on your results, you may need further tests, such as:

X-ray—a test that uses radiation to take a picture of structures inside the body, especially bones
CT scan—a type of x-ray that uses a computer to make pictures of structures inside the body
MRI scan—a test that uses magnetic waves to make pictures of structures inside the body

Call Your Doctor

Call your doctor if you have questions about the test, your condition, or your test results.

In case of emergency, call 911.

RESOURCES:

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons http://aaos.org/
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases http://www.niams.nih.gov/

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

Canadian Orthopaedic Association http://www.coa-aco.org/
Healthy Ontario http://www.healthyontario.com/

References:

Bone scan. Harvard Family Health Guide website. Available at: http://www.health.harvard.edu/fhg/. Accessed June 9, 2008.
Snderlin BR, Raspa R. Common stress fractures. American Academy of Family Physicians website. Available at: http://www.aafp.org/afp/100196/abs_10.html. Accessed June 9, 2008.

Last reviewed November 2009 by John C. Keel, MD and Brian P. Randall, MD

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