Bone Scan

A nuclear medicine bone scan, also called bone scintigraphy, provides your doctor with information that shows how the cells are performing—whether normally or abnormally, and to what degree. It is used to find bone problems such as cancer, infections, or fractures. It is also used to check joint replacements and find joint problems, such as arthritis.

Exam preparation

A CDI representative will call you prior to your appointment to provide specific preparation instructions, and review health and insurance information.
Please bring previous imaging study results (x-ray, MRI, CT, etc.) such as reports, films or CD-roms if available.
Notify a member of CDI’s staff if you are nursing or if there is a chance you could be pregnant.
Please arrive 15 minutes early to verify your registration and health informat.

During the exam – what to expect

This is a two-part exam. The first portion of the exam, when you receive your injection, will take approximately 15 minutes. The second part will take about 30 minutes to 1 hour.
You will lie comfortably on a scan table during the exam.
You will receive an I.V. in the hand or arm so that you can receive an injection of a radioactive contrast (dye) agent into a vein. Pictures will be taken immediately following the injection.
In some cases, you will be asked to return in 2-4 hours after the injection for more imaging.
During this time, please drink 2-4 glasses of fluid and empty your bladder as frequently as possible.
When you return, a scan will be taken from head to toe, using a gamma camera.

After the exam – what to expect

A radiologist who specializes in a specific area of the body will review your images (i.e., a musculoskeletal radiologist will review the images of your bones).
The radiologist prepares a diagnostic report to share with your doctor.
Your doctor will consider this information in context of your overall care, and talk with you about the results.
Most of the radioactivity passes out of your body in urine or stool. The rest simply disappears through natural loss of radioactivity over time.

If you have additional questions about your appointment or our services, check out our Frequently Asked Questions or contact your local CDI center.