What is a bone scan for?

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.

Bone metabolism: 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.