Scanning is a method of close visual examination of an area of a body
part or an isolated part. The bone scan is a new method of identifying
the abnormal cell growth in bone, which cannot be identified by normal
diagnostic tests. It uses a small amount of radioactive tracer to find
the affected parts.
Bone scan is done to check whether the bones are healthy, and to make
a base image for further comparison. In case of fracture, arthritis,
Pagets disease, sever pain in some part of the bone, soft tissue
necrosis or calcification, suspecting any metastasis in bone, fibrous
dysplasia, any obstruction in the blood supply to the bone, bone injury,
bone infection that cannot be seen on normal X ray.
A small amount of radio active tracer is injected into the vein, the
tracer travels through the blood and collects in the bones where higher
activity of cells is present and the image is taken using a gamma
camera.
No special preparation is needed for bone scan. Remove the jewelries
and metals, if the patient is pregnant or a nursing mother informs the
doctor. Hydrate the patient before procedure, If you have any allergic
to any substance inform prior to injection of dye. Avoid preparations
made of bismuth, it will alter the results.
The bone scan is done to diagnose any cancerous growth in the bones
or tumors, and find the spread of the cancerous tissues, to diagnose
osteomyelitis, pain in the bone with unknown etiology. To find any
metabolic disorders like osteomalacia, osteoporosis, primary
hyperparathyroidism.
The advantages of bone scan are :
Whole body evaluation in one time.
Less exposure to radiation.
It is very sensitive.
Checks for the surgery is needed or not.
Reduces the need of exploratory surgery.
Lessen the length of hospitalisation.
Refining the cancer diagnose and treatment.
Regulatory treatments in conditions like injury, cardiac disease and stroke.
For appropriate placement of patient of care.
View of specific area.
Prompt accusation of image.