Radionucline bone scan process and use?

Bone scan: Used to determine the presence of lesions in bone which may be due to a variety of causes. This helps to locate such lesions and to assess the extent of disease.

Bone metabolism: The bone scan images bony metabolism, specifically the formation of new bone (osteoblastic activity) which is usually increased in response to an injury such as a stress fracture or cancer in the bones. Primary use is to detect metastatic disease to the bone in people with certain forms of cancer. Also often used to evaluate pain in somebody with a possible stress fracture.

Bone abnormalities: Bone scan involves intravenous injection of radio tracer 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 activity is seen in metal artifacts, aggressive tumor/infection, & loss of blood supply to bones. Bone scan very sensitive but not specific.