Question 1

what's the difference between an x-ray and a bone scan?

Accepted Answer

Emission / transmiss: A bone scan images bone physiology... How the bone is metabolizing calcium. An x-ray looks at the anatomy of the bone. A bone scan is an emission scan and x-ray a transmission scan. A bone scan is a nuclear medicine procedure, and an x-ray a radiology procedure.

Question 2

i am scheduled to have a nuclear bone scan and they asked me if i had an x-ray in the last 6 weeks. i forgot that i had one 5 weeks ago. is it relevant?

Accepted Answer

It is : It is relevant, they ask because of the amount of radiation used in CT scans

Question 3

does bone scan process involve any exposure to radiation as in x ray?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Both x-ray an isotope for bone scan produce ionizing irradiation. Exposure from  isotope of bone scan in adult is about 6 msv. This is similar to some ct scans.The only imaging methods not involving irradiation are ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging mri. Information from each test is not the same.

Question 4

bone scan - does this test involve any exposure to radiation as in x ray?

Accepted Answer

Yes: To have a bone scan, a radioactive tracer is injected into the blood system.  So yes, there is exposure to radiation.

Question 5

what can a nuclear bone scan show (about my hip bones) that cannot be seen by x-ray?

Accepted Answer

Bone scan: A nuclear bone scan may show hairline fractures, bone loss, infection or small tumors not visible on xray. It may also confirm the presence of arthritis that may be suspected on xray.

Question 6

hello. i have had pain in my right shoulder and upper arm for 3 months now. i have had x ray and bone scan. my gp says it may be a bone island or pott?

Accepted Answer

A "bone island": is a common incidental finding of no clinical significance.  Pott disease is tuberculosis of the spine.  There couldn't be two more opposite entities, so is there more specific information you can provide?

Question 7

are there bone tumors that do not show up on x-ray or ct but do show up on bone scan? can't have mri (icd)

Accepted Answer

Not really: Bone tumors are mostly evaluated with ct and x-ray. The extent of involvement can be evaluated with an MRI (usually to assess the soft tissue extension). A bone scan is used only to evaluate distant lesions that may have travelled away from the original tumor. Some tumors do not light up on bone scan.

Question 8

i had an x-ray of my chest under my left breast  and radiologist said there was a dense area and would like a nuclear bone scan.  what does this mean?

Accepted Answer

Ask: It is important that you understand why you are having a test done. Nuclear scans are most often done to look at bones for infection or other illnesses. But do ask your doctor what he/she is looking for. All the best.

Question 9

my mom has pain under left breast by her ribs.  she had an x-ray, dr said there was a dense area, wants to do a nuclear bone scan. costochondritis ?

Accepted Answer

No: Costochondritis does not show up on x-ray. The density is concerning for cancer, and that is what the follow up studies are looking for. Good luck I hope it turns out to be something benign.

Question 10

i have had four x-rays for my chest, one ct of my abdomenand one bone scan. i am worried whether i have an increased chance of developing cancer from this radiation.

Accepted Answer

Don't worry : The amt from the x-rays is almost nothing. Similar to air travel which i assume you don't worry about getting cancer. One ct scan of the abdomen and a bone scan are equivalent to about 7 years of normal life in the us. So same amt of radiation from sun and cosmic rays in that time.  Radiation from imaging at those levels has never been shown to cause cancer.

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Doctor answers about:

Bone scan vs x ray

A member asked:

What's the difference between an x-ray and a bone scan?

A member asked:

I am scheduled to have a nuclear bone scan and they asked me if i had an x-ray in the last 6 weeks. i forgot that i had one 5 weeks ago. is it relevant?

A member asked:

Does bone scan process involve any exposure to radiation as in x ray?

A member asked:

Bone scan - does this test involve any exposure to radiation as in x ray?

A member asked:

What can a nuclear bone scan show (about my hip bones) that cannot be seen by x-ray?

A member asked:

Hello. i have had pain in my right shoulder and upper arm for 3 months now. i have had x ray and bone scan. my gp says it may be a bone island or pott?

A member asked:

Are there bone tumors that do not show up on x-ray or ct but do show up on bone scan? can't have mri (icd)

A member asked:

I had an x-ray of my chest under my left breast and radiologist said there was a dense area and would like a nuclear bone scan. what does this mean?

A member asked:

My mom has pain under left breast by her ribs. she had an x-ray, dr said there was a dense area, wants to do a nuclear bone scan. costochondritis ?

A member asked:

I have had four x-rays for my chest, one ct of my abdomenand one bone scan. i am worried whether i have an increased chance of developing cancer from this radiation.

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?