Bone Scan

Results

A bone scan is a nuclear scanning test that identifies new areas of bone growth or breakdown. The results of a bone scan are usually available within 2 days.

Bone scan

Normal:	The radioactive tracer is evenly distributed among the bones. No areas of too much or too little tracer are seen.
Abnormal:	The tracer may accumulate in certain areas of the bone, indicating one or more hot spots. Hot spots may be caused by a fracture that is healing, bone cancer, a bone infection (osteomyelitis), arthritis, or a disease of abnormal bone metabolism (such as Paget's disease).
	Certain areas of the bone may lack the presence of tracer, indicating one or more cold spots. Cold spots may be caused by a certain type of cancer (such as multiple myeloma) or lack of blood supply to the bone (bone infarction).

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Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS	Last Updated: November 1, 2006
Medical Review:	Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine Kenneth B. Sutherland, CD, BSc, MD, FRCPC - Diagnostic Radiology
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