Based on a clinical evaluation, your doctor may recommend a nuclear medicine bone scan to confirm a suspected bone disorder. We hope this introductory brochure will help you understand this scan.

Purpose of the scan

• To diagnose minor fractures.
• To detect and monitor the spread of cancer to the bones.
• To assist the diagnosis of osteomyelitis.
• To assist the diagnosis of prosthetic joint loosening and infection.
• To evaluate systemic bone and joint disorders such as over functioning of the parathyroid glands and rheumatoid arthritis.
• To evaluate other bone and joint disorders.

Procedure for the study

• No fasting and special preparation is needed for the scan.
• Our staff will inject a tracer into your vein.
• If something deemed necessary by the physician, we will notify you to go directly to the scanning room for the injection and an initial imaging immediately afterwards.  Patients with routine protocol will receive injection in the injection room.
• After the injection, we will schedule a time for the scan, at least 4 hours apart. While you are waiting, you could leave the Department of Nuclear Medicine.
• At the time of the scan, please wait momentarily in front of the scanning room. You need to empty your bladder before the scan. The scan usually takes 15 minutes.

Things to keep in mind

• Please notify our medical staff if you are pregnant; if so, the procedure is inappropriate for your condition.
• We recommend that patients drink plenty of water after the injection to facilitate excretion of the tracer. Also, patients will need to avoid clothes or skin being contaminated by urine.
• Empty your bladder before the scan and remain still during the process to improve the quality of the image; there are no other precautions and complications like allergy are rare.

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