Normal Bone Scan
Paget's Disease of Skull
Left Foot Fracture
Facet Joint Inflammation
Bone scans are used to detect a wide range of problems with the bones and joints. It is commonly used for patients who have suspected fracture, arthritis, infection, problems with joint replacements, back pain, and various cancers.
Technetium-99m HDP is used as the imaging agent. It binds to areas of bone that are affected by disease processes and are undergoing remodelling and repair. There are no side effects, and the injection is safe even in patients with kidney disease.
No preparation is required for this scan. Previous relevant X-rays, CT and bone scans should be brought for comparison.There are two parts to the scan:
• A small intravenous injection of tracer is given. An immediate scan may be performed in some patients.
• After that there is a wait of 2 to 4 hours for the tracer to circulate in the body. Most patients leave the practice during this time. There are no restrictions regarding food, physical activity, or toileting. Patients then return for the scan which takes between 30 to 90 minutes to complete.
All bone scans are bulk-billed.