Bone Scan

What is a bone scan?

A bone scan is a test to find areas of bone metabolism (activity) that are not normal.  Diseases that change bone metabolism are fractures (broken bone), arthritis, osteoporosis (bone thinning), infection and tumors.

A bone scan uses a weak radioactive material (tracer) which is given into a vein inthe arm.  The tracer will go through the bloodstream and into bones. 

What will a bone scan show?

In a normal bone scan, the radioactive tracer is evenly spread throughout the bones.  No areas of abnormal distribution is seen.  Some times the tracer will accumulate in certain areas of the bone, referred to as “hot spots”.  Hot spots can be a sign of a broken bone that is healing, bone infection, arthritis, Paget’s disease or bone cancer.

Areas of bone which do not pick up a normal amount of tracer are called “cold spots”.  Cold spots are a sign of some cancers, such as multiple myeloma or lack of blood supply to the bone (bone infarction).

How do I prepare for a bone scan?

Before the bone scan, tell your doctor if:

• You are, or might be pregnant. 
• You are breast feeding.  Use formula for 2 days after the scan to allow the radioactive tracer to be eliminated from your body. 
• You have had an x-ray using barium or if you’ve taken a medication containing bismuth (Pepto-Bismol) because barium and bismuth can interfere with the test results.

Bring reading material  to pass the time, as you will have to wait 1-3 hours after the tracer is injected before your bone scan is done.

Wear clothing that is easy to remove, as you will be asked to remove your clothing and jewelry.  You will be asked to put on a hospital gown.

How is a bone scan done?

The technologist will clean your arm in the area that will be used to insert a needle to inject the radioactive tracer.  The technologist will insert a small needle into an arm vein.  A small amount of the tracer will be injected.

It takes 3 hours for the tracer to circulate thorough your body.  During this time you will be asked to drink lots of fluids (4-6 cups).  You will be asked to empty your bladder just before the pictures/scans are taken.  The bladder needs to be empty as the urine is radioactive and will show up in the pictures.  It could block the view of your bones in the area of the bladder. The fluids you drink will also help get rid of the tracer that does not collect in your bones.

You will lie on your back on a table and a large camera/scanner will move slowly above and around your body, scanning and making pictures.

What does a bone scan feel like?

There is a small amount of pain when the needle is inserted.  During the picture taking there is no pain.  You will be asked to lie still on your back, however.  You may be told to change positions by the technologist.

Does anything affect the test?

• Pregnancy
• Barium and bismuth
• Inability to lay still
• Full bladder

Last Reviewed 2005

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.