A bone scan is a test used to find cancer, infection, or injuries in the bone. It may also be used to check a person's response to treatment for certain bone conditions.

Who is a candidate for the test?

A healthcare provider may recommend this test to:

How is the test performed?

A bone scan takes about an hour, not including pre-scan waiting time. As with most tests, a consent form is required.

A radioactive substance is injected into a vein in the arm of the person having a bone scan. Usually, the test begins after a wait of 2 to 3 hours.

In the case of a 3-phase study, though, the test begins right away and then resumes after a wait of 2 hours.

When the test starts, the person having a bone scan lies flat on his or her back on a table. A special camera is positioned so the entire body can be scanned. Rays from the radioactive substance are detected by the camera, which sends pictures to a computer.

In a normal study, the table will not move during each scan. Depending on the health issue in question, though, more focused views may be needed and the scanner may move 10 to 15 centimeters (4 to 6 inches) per minute while pictures are being taken.

In the 3-phase study, the first scans are done every 5 seconds for 60 seconds. A blood pool image, a special image to follow the radioactive substance while it travels through the blood vessels, is done next. Then the person needs to wait for 2 hours before scans are resumed.

After the bone scan is done, the person will be asked to wait to get dressed until the technologist is sure the pictures are adequate.