THE MEDICAL IMAGING EXPERIENCE
INFORMATION FOR THE PATIENT
NUCLEAR MEDICINE BONE SCAN

WHAT IS IT?
Nuclear Medicine scans are performed using very small amounts of radioactive material. The radioactive material is usually bound to other non-radioactive elements. These combined elements are called "radionuclide". The radionuclide emit energy called "photons". Radionuclide can be directed to many organs and systems in the body. Once a radionuclide is distributed in an organ or system, the photon energy is collected by a "Gamma Camera". The Gamma Camera detects the pattern of distribution of the radionuclide in the body and sends this information to a computer. The computer processes the information and displays the information in the form of a picture.

Nuclear Medicine exams differ from other x-ray procedures because the energy (x-rays and photons) come from different sources. X-ray energy is created by the x-ray tube and pass through the body. Another major difference is that Nuclear Medicine exams best demonstrate body physiology (system function), whereas x-rays show anatomical detail.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO ME?
The Nuclear Medicine Technologist will inject a special radionuclide into your vein, usually in your arm. The blood will carry the radionuclide to your bones. After the injection, it takes 2 - 3 hours before the radionuclide is deposited on your bones. To start the scan, the technologist will position you on a flat table and will place you under the Gamma Camera. The Gamma Camera will be very close to you to obtain the best picture.

HOW LONG WILL THIS TEST TAKE?
The injection of the radionuclide takes only a few minutes. Sometimes the technologist will need to give you the injection while you are under the Gamma Camera so that pictures of the radionuclide/blood flow can be taken. After the injection, you will need to wait three (3) hours before the scan can be performed. Once the actual scan is started it takes 60 minutes to complete.

WHAT WILL I FEEL -- WILL IT HURT?
You may feel a slight pinprick in the vein of your arm when the radionuclide is injected. You will not feel any effects from the radionuclide injection. When your scan is begun, you will need to lay flat on a table. You will need to lay very still while the scan is being performed so that the best picture can be made. You will not feel any effects from the Gamma Camera. It does not create radiation, it only detects the radiation coming from your bones. The Gamma Camera is a large machine that collects the emitted photons from the radionuclide but produces very little sound. The Gamma Camera must be very close to you and will be moved over your body to obtain the pictures. The radiation will totally disappear from your body in about 48 hours. The radiation exposure you receive for the bone scan is no more than from a routine x-ray procedure.

WHAT WILL THE TEST SHOW?
The radionuclide is distributed on your bones in different patterns depending on the blood flow and bone growth processes. If one area of your bones receives more of the radionuclide ("hot spots") than other areas, this can be seen on the scan. Very slight changes in the bones can be detected by the bone scan. Very small fractures, tumors, bone infections and arthritis, etc., can all be seen on the bone scan pictures.

HOW DO I GET READY?
After the radionuclide injection the technologist will instruct you to drink 3 - 4 glasses of water before you return for the scan. The water helps clear the radionuclide from your blood stream. You can eat as you normally do. Just before the start of your scan, you will need to urinate and empty your bladder as much as possible because a full bladder will cover some of the bones in your pelvis area. You should remove any metal such as belt buckles, earrings, necklaces, keys, etc., since these will interfere with the pictures.
 

Reviewed: May 2005