Bone scan

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Nuclear scan

Scintigraphy - bone

If you are pregnant or nursing, the test may be postponed to prevent exposing the fetus to radiation.

The amount of radioactivity in the injection is very small, and virtually all activity is gone from the body within 2-3 days. Although it is extremely rare with bone scanning agents, a person may develop rash, swelling, or anaphylaxis (severe allergic response).

There is a slight risk of infection or bleeding with any intravenous injection.

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

• Tumors that have spread from other parts of the body to the bone (metastatic disease)
• Primary bone tumors
• Fractures
• Bone infections (osteomyelitis)
• Degenerative diseases of the bones, such as arthritis
• Rickets
• Fibrous dysplasia
• Paget's disease
• Avascular necrosis
• Radiation changes

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

Review Date: 08/22/2006
Reviewed By: Jonathan Gross, M.D., Department of Radiology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.