Can a bone scan miss a fracture?

Bone scan: A recent fracture is identified on all bone scans. The activity on the bone scan may last up to 6 months - 1 year.

Yes: No test is 100% sensitive. The bone scan is very sensitive, but certainly can miss small fractures or be misinterpreted as representing degenerative disease when in fact a fracture is present.

Sometimes: Most fractures can be identified on bone scan 24-48 hrs after incident.If patient is very demineralized the fracture may not be identified unless images are performed beyond 3 hours after injection. In a child if fractue is adjacent to very active growth plate, the fracture may not be appreciated.Fractures in the skull are not usually seen. If fracture is 5 ot 6 months old fracture may be healed.