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.

Care Agreement

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your caregivers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

Risks

• If the pictures from your bone scan are not clear, you may need another scan. This can occur if you move during the scan, or the pictures are taken too soon after the tracer is given. If you have a prosthesis, it can make areas of bone hard to see. If your bladder is too full, caregivers may not be able to see certain areas clearly. The scan may not show areas of bone damage or disease, or it may show abnormal areas even when the bone is normal. You will be exposed to radiation during a bone scan, which may lead to medical problems in the future.
  
  
• If you do not have the bone scan, you may have bone damage or disease that is not found. If you have unknown bone damage, such as a fracture, your pain and other symptoms may get worse. You may not get the treatment that you need if you have bone cancer, a bone infection, or other bone disease. Talk with your caregiver if you have questions or concerns about having a bone scan.

Getting Ready

Before your procedure:

• Ask your caregiver if you need to stop using aspirin or any other prescribed or over-the-counter medicine before your procedure or surgery.
  
  
• Bring your medicine bottles or a list of your medicines when you see your caregiver. Tell your caregiver if you are allergic to any medicine. Tell your caregiver if you use any herbs, food supplements, or over-the-counter medicine.
  
  
• Tell your caregiver if you know or think you might be pregnant.
  
  
• Tell your caregiver if you have had a bone infection, broken bones, or a bone disease in the past. If you have had a bone or other scan before, tell your caregiver about the scan and the results. Also tell your caregiver if you have had surgeries in the past, such as surgery to repair or replace a joint.
  
  
• Tell your caregiver if you have any problems with your kidneys, such as kidney failure. Your kidneys are organs that help remove waste from your body in urine. Also, tell caregivers if you have a medical condition where you have to limit how much fluid you drink.

The night before your procedure:

• Ask caregivers about directions for eating and drinking.
  
  

The day of your procedure:

• Write down the correct date, time, and location of your procedure.
  
  
• You or a close family member will be asked to sign a legal document called a consent form. It gives caregivers permission to do the procedure or surgery. It also explains the problems that may happen, and your choices. Make sure all your questions are answered before you sign this form.
  
  
• Caregivers may insert an intravenous tube (IV) into your vein. A vein in the arm is usually chosen. Through the IV tube, you may be given liquids and medicine.

Treatment

What will happen:

You will be given a small amount of radioactive tracer in your IV. Your caregiver may take pictures soon after the tracer enters your body. Most often, the bone scan pictures are taken about 2 to 5 hours after the tracer is given. Some bone scans may be done up to 24 hours after the tracer is given. Once the tracer enters your body, you will need to drink extra water. This helps decrease how long the tracer stays in your body. Caregivers may have you drink at least 2 to 4 eight-ounce cups of water. You will also need to urinate just before the pictures are taken. While the pictures are being taken, you may be asked to lie on a table. Pillows may be placed under your knees to help support your back. You will be told not to move or talk. Devices, such as arm boards and sandbags, may be used to help you stay in one position.

After your procedure:

When your bone scan is complete and the IV is taken out, you may be able to go home. If you are staying in the hospital, you will be taken back to your room. Ask your caregiver when you will get the results of your bone scan. Drink plenty of liquids for 24 hours after your bone scan to help flush the tracer out of your body. 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.

Contact a caregiver if

• You are late or cannot make it to your bone scan.
  
  

Seek Care Immediately if

• The condition for which you are having the bone scan or symptoms, such as pain, suddenly get worse.
  
  

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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 (Precare)