BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuBone scanScintigraphy - boneA bone scan is an imaging test used to diagnose bone diseases and find out how severe they are. How the Test is Performed A bone scan involves injecting a very small amount of radioactive material (radiotracer) into a vein. This substance travels through your blood to your bones and organs. As it wears off, it gives off a 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 your 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 your bones. This process is called a 3-phase bone scan.To evaluate whether cancer has spread to the bone (metastatic bone disease), images are taken only after the 3- to 4-hour delay.CancerCancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the body. Cancerous cells are also called malignant cells.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article MetastaticMetastasis is the movement or spreading of cancer cells from one organ or tissue to another. Cancer cells usually spread through the blood or the ly...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article 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 help flush the material from 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 health care provider 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.Follow any other instructions you are given. 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 scan. Your technician will tell you when to change positions.You may experience some discomfort due to lying still for a long period. Why the Test is Performed A bone scan can be used to:Diagnose a bone tumor or cancer. Bone tumorA bone tumor is an abnormal growth of cells within a bone. A bone tumor may be cancerous (malignant) or noncancerous (benign).ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Determine if a cancer that began elsewhere in your body has spread to your 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). FractureIf more pressure is put on a bone than it can stand, it will split or break. A break of any size is called a fracture. If the broken bone punctures...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article x-rayX-rays are a type of electromagnetic radiation, just like visible light. An x-ray machine sends individual x-ray waves through the body. The images...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Diagnose a bone infection (osteomyelitis). (osteomyelitis)Osteomyelitis is a bone infection. It is caused by bacteria or other germs.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Diagnose or determine the cause of bone pain, when no other cause has been identified. Evaluate metabolic disorders, such as osteomalacia, primary hyperparathyroidism, osteoporosis, complex regional pain syndrome, and Paget disease.OsteomalaciaOsteomalacia is softening of the bones. It most often occurs because of a problem that leads to vitamin D deficiency, which helps your body absorb c...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Primary hyperparathyroidismHyperparathyroidism is a condition in which 1 or more of the parathyroid glands in your neck produce too much parathyroid hormone (PTH).ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article OsteoporosisOsteoporosis is a disease in which bones become fragile and more likely to break (fracture).ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Complex regional pain syndromeComplex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a long-term (chronic) pain condition that can affect any area of the body, but often affects an arm or a leg...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Paget diseasePaget disease is a disorder that involves abnormal bone destruction and regrowth. This results in deformity of the affected bones.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Normal Results Test results are considered normal if the radiotracer is present evenly throughout all the bones. What Abnormal Results Mean An abnormal scan will show hot spots or cold spots as compared to surrounding bone. Hot spots are areas where there is an increased collection of the radioactive material. Cold spots are areas that have taken up less of the radioactive material.Bone scan findings must be compared with other imaging studies, such as x-rays or CT scans, in addition to clinical information. Your provider will discuss any abnormal findings with you.CT scansA computed tomography (CT) scan is an imaging method that uses x-rays to create pictures of cross-sections of the body. Related tests include:Abdomin...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Risks If you are pregnant or nursing, the test may be postponed to prevent exposing your baby to radiation. If you must have the test while breastfeeding, some providers recommend you should pump and throw away the breast milk for the next 3 days. Check with your provider about what is best for you.The amount of radiation injected into your vein is very small. All radiation is gone from your body within 2 to 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 x-rays.Risks related to the bone radiotracer are rare, but may include:Anaphylaxis (severe allergic response) AnaphylaxisAnaphylaxis is a life-threatening type of allergic reaction.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Rash RashRashes involve changes in the color, feeling or texture of your skin.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article SwellingSwellingSwelling is the enlargement of organs, skin, or other body parts. It is caused by a buildup of fluid in the tissues. The extra fluid can lead to a ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article There is a slight risk of infection or bleeding when the needle is inserted into a vein.Open ReferencesReferencesKapoor G, Toms AP. Current status of imaging of the musculoskeletal system. In: Adam A, Dixon AK, Gillard JH, Schaefer-Prokop CM, eds. Grainger & Allison's Diagnostic Radiology. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 38.Ribbens C, Namur G. Bone scintigraphy and positron emission tomography. In: Hochberg MC, Gravallese EM, Smolen JS, van der Heijde D, Weinblatt ME, Weisman MH, eds. Rheumatology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 47.AllVideoImagesTogNuclear scan - illustration A radiotracer is injected into a peripheral vein. As the radiotracer decays, gamma radiation is emitted and is detected by a Gamma camera. When the tracer has collected in the target organ the area is scanned. Radionuclide scans can detect abnormalities such as fractures, bone infections, arthritis, rickets, and tumors that have spread, among other diseases. Nuclear scanillustrationNuclear scan - illustration A radiotracer is injected into a peripheral vein. As the radiotracer decays, gamma radiation is emitted and is detected by a Gamma camera. When the tracer has collected in the target organ the area is scanned. Radionuclide scans can detect abnormalities such as fractures, bone infections, arthritis, rickets, and tumors that have spread, among other diseases. Nuclear scanillustrationSelf Care Metatarsal stress fractures - aftercare Tests for Bone scan Bone scanBone lesion biopsyBone mineral density testLeg MRI scanArm MRI scanHead CT scanKnee CT scanLeg CT scanLumbar spine CT scanCervical spine CT scanRelated Information Metabolism(Special Topic)Broken bone(Injury)Osteomyelitis(Condition) Review Date: 4/1/2025 Reviewed By: Jason Levy, MD, FSIR, Northside Radiology Associates, Atlanta, GA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. © 1997- All rights reserved. A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.
Bone scanScintigraphy - boneA bone scan is an imaging test used to diagnose bone diseases and find out how severe they are. How the Test is Performed A bone scan involves injecting a very small amount of radioactive material (radiotracer) into a vein. This substance travels through your blood to your bones and organs. As it wears off, it gives off a 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 your 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 your bones. This process is called a 3-phase bone scan.To evaluate whether cancer has spread to the bone (metastatic bone disease), images are taken only after the 3- to 4-hour delay.CancerCancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the body. Cancerous cells are also called malignant cells.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article MetastaticMetastasis is the movement or spreading of cancer cells from one organ or tissue to another. Cancer cells usually spread through the blood or the ly...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article 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 help flush the material from 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 health care provider 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.Follow any other instructions you are given. 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 scan. Your technician will tell you when to change positions.You may experience some discomfort due to lying still for a long period. Why the Test is Performed A bone scan can be used to:Diagnose a bone tumor or cancer. Bone tumorA bone tumor is an abnormal growth of cells within a bone. A bone tumor may be cancerous (malignant) or noncancerous (benign).ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Determine if a cancer that began elsewhere in your body has spread to your 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). FractureIf more pressure is put on a bone than it can stand, it will split or break. A break of any size is called a fracture. If the broken bone punctures...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article x-rayX-rays are a type of electromagnetic radiation, just like visible light. An x-ray machine sends individual x-ray waves through the body. The images...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Diagnose a bone infection (osteomyelitis). (osteomyelitis)Osteomyelitis is a bone infection. It is caused by bacteria or other germs.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Diagnose or determine the cause of bone pain, when no other cause has been identified. Evaluate metabolic disorders, such as osteomalacia, primary hyperparathyroidism, osteoporosis, complex regional pain syndrome, and Paget disease.OsteomalaciaOsteomalacia is softening of the bones. It most often occurs because of a problem that leads to vitamin D deficiency, which helps your body absorb c...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Primary hyperparathyroidismHyperparathyroidism is a condition in which 1 or more of the parathyroid glands in your neck produce too much parathyroid hormone (PTH).ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article OsteoporosisOsteoporosis is a disease in which bones become fragile and more likely to break (fracture).ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Complex regional pain syndromeComplex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a long-term (chronic) pain condition that can affect any area of the body, but often affects an arm or a leg...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Paget diseasePaget disease is a disorder that involves abnormal bone destruction and regrowth. This results in deformity of the affected bones.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Normal Results Test results are considered normal if the radiotracer is present evenly throughout all the bones. What Abnormal Results Mean An abnormal scan will show hot spots or cold spots as compared to surrounding bone. Hot spots are areas where there is an increased collection of the radioactive material. Cold spots are areas that have taken up less of the radioactive material.Bone scan findings must be compared with other imaging studies, such as x-rays or CT scans, in addition to clinical information. Your provider will discuss any abnormal findings with you.CT scansA computed tomography (CT) scan is an imaging method that uses x-rays to create pictures of cross-sections of the body. Related tests include:Abdomin...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Risks If you are pregnant or nursing, the test may be postponed to prevent exposing your baby to radiation. If you must have the test while breastfeeding, some providers recommend you should pump and throw away the breast milk for the next 3 days. Check with your provider about what is best for you.The amount of radiation injected into your vein is very small. All radiation is gone from your body within 2 to 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 x-rays.Risks related to the bone radiotracer are rare, but may include:Anaphylaxis (severe allergic response) AnaphylaxisAnaphylaxis is a life-threatening type of allergic reaction.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Rash RashRashes involve changes in the color, feeling or texture of your skin.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article SwellingSwellingSwelling is the enlargement of organs, skin, or other body parts. It is caused by a buildup of fluid in the tissues. The extra fluid can lead to a ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article There is a slight risk of infection or bleeding when the needle is inserted into a vein.Open ReferencesReferencesKapoor G, Toms AP. Current status of imaging of the musculoskeletal system. In: Adam A, Dixon AK, Gillard JH, Schaefer-Prokop CM, eds. Grainger & Allison's Diagnostic Radiology. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 38.Ribbens C, Namur G. Bone scintigraphy and positron emission tomography. In: Hochberg MC, Gravallese EM, Smolen JS, van der Heijde D, Weinblatt ME, Weisman MH, eds. Rheumatology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 47.
