Bone Scan
Navigating Bone Health with Bone Scan
A bone scan is a
nuclear imaging diagnostic technique that helps in monitoring and assisting
bone health and bone-related conditions. The test includes injection of a
low-dose radioactive material into the bloodstream which is then measured
through the gamma camera which creates images of the bones’ internal structures
and activity. Bone scan can accurately detect various bone-related disorders
such as fractures, arthritis, tumours, infections, and metastatic cancer. Bone
scan also helps doctors diagnose unexplained bone pain or changes as observed
on other screening tests.
Overview of the Key Aspects of Bone Scan
Importance of Bone Scan:
Bone scan is a
significantly important diagnostic tool as it has the ability to provide
valuable information pertaining to bone health and various conditions that can
affect the skeletal health. Bone scan can accurately detect abnormalities even
before they show up on X-rays and this early detection allows for timely
diagnosis and treatments of conditions such as fracture, infections, and
bone-related diseases. In addition, bone scan allows for a complete perusal of
the skeletal system which helps in assessing multiple bones simultaneously.
Procedure:
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Patients will be asked to wear
hospital gown or comfortable clothing before the scan begins.
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Technician will then insert an
intravenous line (IV line) into a vein in the arm of the patient.
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A small radioactive tracer,
usually labelled with a material such as methylene diphosphonate, is injected
through the IV.
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This injected tracer then
travels through the bloodstream and accumulates in areas of the bones with
active metabolism.
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Patients may be asked to wait
for a certain period after the injection; usually 2-4 hours - for the uptake of
the radioactive tracer.
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Then the patients will be asked
to lie down on the examination table for the imaging procedure.
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A gamma camera, which is then
placed over the area to be examined, is then used to capture images of the
bones.
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The technician will ask the
patients to follow certain positions to capture images from different angles.
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After the imaging is done,
patients may be advised to drink plenty of water to remove the radioactive
tracer from the body.
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A radiologist will then review
the images and make a clear report after which the healthcare provider will
discuss the next steps.
Benefits:
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Enables early detection of bone
related disease to implement treatments for better patient outcomes
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Provides a comprehensive
overview of the entire skeletal system which helps in simultaneous assessment
of multiple bones and joints
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Highly sensitive in detection
of changes or abnormalities in bone metabolism
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Bone scan plays a vital role in
cancer staging and determining if the cancer has spread to the bone
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Enables monitoring of the
ongoing treatment administered to treat bone-related diseases
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Non-invasive, reduces patient
discomfort, and eliminates risk of invasive procedures
Patients must inform their doctors if they are pregnant or might be pregnant, breastfeeding, or have any allergies. Patients must inform their doctors of any medications, supplements, or herbal medicines they are taking as some medications might interfere with the test and result in inaccurate diagnosis. Depending on the tracer used, patients may be advised to stop taking calcium supplements before the scan as it can largely interfere with the scan and tracer’s absorption. Patients must inform their healthcare provider immediately if they experience any adverse reactions such as severe itching, rash, or allergic reaction after the scan.
