Bone Scan

Bone scans are used to detect diseases of the bone at the earliest possible time. Bone scans are often more sensitive than X-rays in diagnosing infections, tumors, and fractures.

What Does a Bone Scan Entail?

You will receive an injection of a radioactive substance in a vein in your arm. This material travels through the bloodstream, into the soft tissue, eventually localizing in the bones. You will not feel anything from this injection. We may take some images during the injection to evaluate the blood flow to a particular area where you may be having pain.

The bone scan itself will be done three hours after injection. The scan takes 30-60 minutes. You will lie on your back on an imaging table. The camera will be positioned above and below you. The camera may scan the entire length of your body, starting at your head and moving slowly to your feet.

How Will I Learn the Results?

After the exam, the nuclear medicine physician will evaluate the images and discuss them with your physician. Your physician will explain the results to you.

If you are or suspect you might be pregnant, please tell your doctor, nurse or technician.

If You Want More Information.

Please feel free to call the Imaging department at 918-225-8220.