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Results
By Mayo Clinic staffThe radiologist looks for evidence of abnormal bone metabolism on the scans. These show up as darker "hot spots" and lighter "cold spots" where the tracers have or haven't accumulated.
Although a bone scan is very sensitive to abnormalities in bone metabolism, it's less helpful in determining the exact cause of the abnormality. However, a thorough medical history often reveals the cause, such as a suspected fracture, infection or bone tumor. Other tests may be performed to help establish the diagnosis. For instance, in order to rule out bone cancer, your doctor may need further imaging studies (computerized tomography or magnetic resonance imaging) or a biopsy, which is a sample of bone tissue that's removed for examination.
- Procedures/diagnostic tests: Bone scan. National Institutes of Health. http://www.cc.nih.gov/ccc/patient_education/procdiag/bonescan.pdf. Accessed Oct. 30, 2009.
- Zell JA, et al. Cancer prevention, screening and early detection. In: Abeloff MD, et al. Abeloff's Clinical Oncology. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Churchill Livingstone; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/135557788-9/837588846/1709/31.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-443-06694-8..50030-0_657. Accessed Oct. 30, 2009.
- Cleveland KB. General principles of infection. In: Canale ST, et al. Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics. 11th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/168406572-4/910701586/1584/95.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-03329-9..50018-0--cesec13_615.Accessed Oct. 30, 2009.
- Glossary of orthopaedic diagnostic tests. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00272#Bone%20Scan. Accessed Oct. 30, 2009.
- Safety: Radiation exposure in X-ray exams. Radiological Society of North America. http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/safety/index.cfm?pg=sfty_xray. Accessed Oct. 30, 2009.
- Mullan B (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Nov. 19, 2009.
