Bone Scintigraphy

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Bone scintigraphy, or bone scan, is a test done to look at the bones in your body. Bone scans are often done of your entire body. They also can be done on a certain body area. The bone scan shows areas of new bone growth or areas where your bone is diseased or damaged. During a bone scan, you are given radioactive liquid, called a tracer, through a vein in your arm. The tracer collects in areas of your bones. Pictures will then be taken of the tracer in your bones. Your caregiver will be looking for areas of bone that collected large amounts of the tracer, called hot spots. They will also check for areas where very little or no tracer collected, called cold spots.
  
  
• You may need a bone scan to look for bone fractures (breaks), a bone infection, or other bone damage. A bone scan may show if you have cancer in your bones and how serious it is. A bone scan can also show how well treatment for bone cancer is working. A bone scan may be needed to look for a loose joint prosthesis. A prosthesis is a device used to replace a joint, such as a knee or shoulder. A bone scan can also show bone diseases, such as Paget's disease and arthritis. Having a bone scan may help you and your caregiver learn the cause of your symptoms, such as bone pain. When the cause of your symptoms is found, your caregiver will discuss your treatment options with you.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Take your medicine as directed:

Call your primary healthcare provider if you think your medicine is not working as expected. Tell him if you are allergic to any medicine. Keep a current list of the medicines, vitamins, and herbs you take. Include the amounts, and when, how, and why you take them. Take the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits. Carry your medicine list with you in case of an emergency. Throw away old medicine lists.

Follow-up visits:

Ask your caregiver when to return for a follow-up visit. You may need to have other testing done if problems were seen on your bone scan. These tests may include a computed tomography (CT) scan and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Keep all appointments. Write down any questions you may have. This way you will remember to ask these questions during your next visit.

Discard breast milk:

If you are a breastfeeding mother, you will need to express and throw away your breast milk for at least four hours. Your caregiver may have you express and throw away your breast milk for up to 24 hours. Talk with your caregiver if you are a breastfeeding mother.

Drink plenty of liquids:

You need to increase the amount of liquid you drink for 24 hours after your bone scan. Drinking liquids helps remove the tracer from your body. Ask your caregiver how much liquid you should drink.

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• You have questions about your procedure.
  
  

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• The condition for which you had the bone scan or symptoms, such as pain, suddenly get worse.
  
  
• You have a bone infection and have a fever and feel very tired and irritable (easily angered). You may also have soreness in the area of the infection and may have trouble moving the area.
  
  
• You have a bone infection with an open skin area that is red and draining fluid.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Learn more about Bone Scintigraphy (Aftercare Instructions)