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Why it's done

By Mayo Clinic staff

Your doctor may order a bone scan to determine whether you have any bone abnormalities that may signify one of the following disorders:

  • Fractures
  • Arthritis
  • Paget's disease of bone
  • Bone tumors
  • Infection of the joints, joint replacements or bone (osteomyelitis)
  • Fibrous dysplasia
  • Avascular necrosis or impaired bone blood supply
  • Unexplained bone pain

Your doctor may order a bone scan to determine whether cancer, such as prostate, lung or breast cancer, has spread (metastasized) to bone.

MY00306

Dec. 14, 2007

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