You will not be hazardous to other people, as the tracer emits less radiation than a standard X-ray. During the waiting period, you will need to drink several glasses of water four to six glasses to help flush out any tracer that does not concentrate into the bone tissue. If your bone scan is being done to detect bone infection, a set of scans may be done immediately after the injection of the tracer. Another set of scans will be done after the tracer has been allowed to concentrate in the bone tissue.
When the tracer has been allowed to concentrate in the bone tissue for the appropriate amount of time, you will be asked to empty your bladder prior to the start of the scan. A full bladder can distort the bones of the pelvis, and may become uncomfortable during the scan, which may take up to an hour to complete. You will be asked to lie still on a scanning table, as any movement may affect the quality of the scan. The scanner will move slowly over you several times as it detects the gamma rays emitted by the tracer in the bone tissue.
You may be repositioned during the scan in order to obtain particular views of the bones. While the bone scan itself causes no pain, having to lie still for the length of the procedure might cause some discomfort or pain, particularly in the case of a recent injury or invasive procedure such as surgery.
The technologist will use all possible comfort measures and complete the procedure as quickly as possible to minimize any discomfort or pain. You should move slowly when getting up from the scanner table to avoid any dizziness or lightheadedness from lying flat for the length of the procedure.
You will be instructed to drink plenty of fluids and empty your bladder frequently for 24 to 48 hours after the procedure to help flush the remaining tracer from your body. The IV site will be checked for any signs of redness or swelling. You should not have any other radionuclide procedures for the next 24 to 48 hours after your bone scan. Your doctor may give you additional or alternate instructions after the procedure, depending on your particular situation.
Health Home Treatments, Tests and Therapies. Bone Scintigraphy A bone scan is a specialized radiology procedure used to examine the various bones of the skeleton.
Why might I need a bone scan? What are the risks of a bone scan? How do I prepare for a bone scan? Based on your medical condition, your doctor may request other specific preparation.
Bone Scan. What happens during a bone scan? Hot spots Open pop-up dialog box Close. Hot spots Scan A shows hot spots dark areas in both knees, a sign of arthritis, and a possible fracture in the second toe of the right foot.
Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Kasper DL, et al. Approach to articular and musculoskeletal disorders.
In: Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. New York, N. Accessed Dec. Elsayes KM, et al. Khaled M. Elsayes, and Sandra A. Brandon D. Brandon, David C. Introduction to nuclear medicine. In: Introduction to Diagnostic Radiology. Radiological Society of North America.
Bone scan. American Society of Clinical Oncology. Imaging for musculoskeletal arthritides and metabolic bone disease. Rochester, Minn. O'Connor MK expert opinion. They look darker than other areas of bone. Your radiographer asks you to drink plenty while you wait for your scan. This flushes the radioactive tracer around your body.
If you have problems with passing urine you might get different instructions. You might be able to have a walk in the hospital grounds while you are waiting. Or you may need to wait in a separate area with other people having nuclear medicine tests. Because of the small amount of radiation from the radioactive tracer you might need to use separate labelled toilets.
A bone scan looks for abnormal areas in your bones. Before your scan you have an injection of a small amount of radioactive substance. This is not enough to be harmful. After the injection you can leave the department for a couple of hours. This allows the substance time to get to your bones. The nurse will tell you when to return to the department. While you are away drink a couple of extra pints of water to flush the injection through your body.
Before the scan you will need to empty your bladder. The radioactive substance helps to show up abnormalities in the bone. These could be a number of different conditions including cancer and fractures. The small amount of radioactivity left in your body disappears within the next 24 hours. So during this time avoid close contact with babies, children and pregnant women.
You usually wear your own clothes for the scan but some hospitals may ask you to change into a hospital gown. Your radiographer will ask you to empty your pockets and remove any metal objects such as keys, coins, belts, braces and jewellery. You lie down on a couch and have to keep very still while you go through the scanner. The camera takes pictures of the bones in your whole body. Let your radiographer know beforehand if you think this will be a problem for you. Tell them if you start to feel closed in or claustrophobic.
They can help to reassure you. You should be able to go home soon after the scan. You need to drink plenty for the rest of the day to help flush the radioactive tracer out of your body. Your body gets rid of it through the urine, usually within 24 hours. A very small amount of radioactive tracer is left in your body for a short time after your scan. So for the rest of the day keep any time you spend within arm's length of pregnant women, babies or young children as short as possible.
Airports have sensitive radiation monitors which might pick up the trace of radiation after your test. As a precaution take your appointment letter with you if you're travelling within a week of your scan. Then you can show the staff that the radioactivity is due to a scan.
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