Question 1

what is a bone scan used for?

Accepted Answer

Cancer or pain: Usually in adults it is used to detect metastatic cancer. It also is frequently used to evaluate for possible stress fractures and other bone problems.

Question 2

what is a bone scan used for by an arthritis specialist?

Accepted Answer

Bone density : A DEXA bone scan is one type of bone scan often used to check bone density. Inflammation in joints can cause some decreased bone density--so it can indicate evidence of long term uncontrolled inflammation. Also, some meds like Prednisone if taken for more than a few months depending on the dose, can cause loss of bone density. Various medical and dietary measures can help treat this.

Question 3

60 years, she has made hysterectomy 1year ago and she has to do ct scan for control, but she has back pain.what is necessary to do bone scan or ct scan?

Accepted Answer

Please clarify ques: I'm not understanding exactly what your question is, however, a bone scan is a test of choice when looking for deep-seated infections in the bone called osteomyelitis or the bone density of a person who may have either osteoporosis or osteomalacia. If back pain is being diagnosed with a ct scan then, you are looking for either a compressed nerve or some other bony defect that causes pain.

Question 4

what is a bone density scan test, and does it require radiation? is it harmful?

Accepted Answer

Yes and no: Yes it requires radiation.  The bone mineral density test (which is not a "bone scan" which is something entirely different) requires x-radiation. But no, it is not harmful in and of itself.  The radiation dose is around 1/10 the dose from a chest radiograph.  That said, radiation doses are cumulative, so each DXA adds a little to your total dose accumulation and risk.

Question 5

what's a bone scan for?

Accepted Answer

Cancer or pain: Usually in adults it is used to detect metastatic cancer. It also is frequently used to evaluate for possible stress fractures.

Question 6

how does abone scanwork?

Accepted Answer

Radioactive "dye": A bone scan is usually used to assess the whole skeleton for cancer spread, to look at specific bone sites for fracture or for bone infections.  The patient receives an injection of a radiolabeled substance that is mostly incorporated in to areas of high bone turnover.  A camera to detect the radioactive decay then acts to count the amount of activity.  Areas of high decay are more fully evaluated.

Question 7

what is cost of nuclear bone scans?

Accepted Answer

Depends: Varies by hospital, are you insured? If not then hospital will try to charge you their rack rate. This rate is often heavily discounted after negotiations with insurance companies. Ask the hospital billing dept.

Question 8

what do bone scan results tell you?

Accepted Answer

Hot spot, cold spots: The radiologist looks for evidence of abnormal bone metabolism on the scans. These show up as darker "hot spots" and lighter "cold spots" where the tracers have or haven't accumulated.
 
Although a bone scan is very sensitive to abnormalities in bone metabolism, it's less helpful in determining the exact cause of the abnormality.

Question 9

what lights up in a normal bone scan?

Accepted Answer

The bones,: In a fashion similar to that of a skeleton. No areas of "hot spots" or "cold spots".

Question 10

what does a healthy bone scan look like?

Accepted Answer

normal uptake: Bone scan involves intravenous injection of radiotracer usually technetium 99m mdp which accumulates in skeleton. Scan may involve early phase(5-10 min) and late phase(2-3 hr) imaging. Increased uptake is seen in fractures, tumors, infection, etc. Decreased uptake is seen in metal artifacts, aggressive tumor/infection, & loss of blood supply to bones.No abnormal uptake in skeleton is normal.

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Doctor answers about:

What is bone scan

A member asked:

What is a bone scan used for?

A member asked:

What is a bone scan used for by an arthritis specialist?

A member asked:

60 years, she has made hysterectomy 1year ago and she has to do ct scan for control, but she has back pain.what is necessary to do bone scan or ct scan?

A member asked:

What is a bone density scan test, and does it require radiation? is it harmful?

A member asked:

What's a bone scan for?

A member asked:

How does abone scanwork?

A member asked:

What is cost of nuclear bone scans?

A member asked:

What do bone scan results tell you?

A member asked:

What lights up in a normal bone scan?

A member asked:

What does a healthy bone scan look like?

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?