Bone Scan: Results
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Results
A bone scan is a nuclear scanning test that identifies new areas of bone growth or breakdown. The results of a bone scan are usually available within 2 days.
| Normal: | The radioactive tracer is evenly distributed among the bones. No areas of too much or too little tracer are seen. |
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| Abnormal: | The tracer may accumulate in certain areas of the bone, indicating one or more "hot" spots. Hot spots may be caused by a fracture that is healing, bone cancer, a bone infection (osteomyelitis), arthritis, or a disease of abnormal bone metabolism (such as Paget's disease). |
Certain areas of the bone may lack the presence of tracer, indicating one or more "cold" spots. Cold spots may be caused by a certain type of cancer (such as multiple myeloma) or lack of blood supply to the bone (bone infarction). |
| Last updated: | October 24, 2008 |
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| Author: | Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS |
| Reviewed By: | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine, Myo Min Han, MD - Nuclear Medicine |
| Editors: | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer |
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