Tuesday, July 7, 2009

What Can A Bone Scan Detect

What Can a Bone Scan Detect?


Bone scans are common medical tests which use radiation to provide a clearer image on an individual's bone health. The test can detect a number of serious medical conditions and diseases.


Bone Scan


A bone scan is an imaging test that helps tract bone related diseases. The test shows increased or decreased areas of bone turnover.


Function


You will be given an injection of harmless radioactive tracers. These tracers will accumulate in your bones. These tracers emit radiation which are captured by a special camera. The image that is produced is examined by doctors.


Bone Fractures


Doctors will order a bone scan for many reasons, such as to check the structural integrity of the bone. A bone scan may be done when an injury or fracture is undetectable by an X-ray.


Cancer


Bone scans can also be used to detect cancer. The image can check the prognosis of cancer originating from the bone or whether a cancerous tumor has spread from one organ to the bone.


Other Conditions Detected by Bone Scan


Bone scans can be used to detect many other medical conditions. Some of these include arthritis, impaired blood supply to bones, and unexplained bone pain.







Tags: Bone Scan, Bone scans, bone scan, Bone Scan Detect, medical conditions