Reasons to Undergo a Bone Scan Test
Primarily, bone scans are used to detect the spread of metastatic cancer. In most cases, cancer cells multiply rapidly. They will appear as a hot spot on the bone scan. Doctors may rely on bone scans to stage cancer before and after treatment.
It helps in measuring the efficacy of the treatment. A bone scan may help determine the cause of unexplained pain. The test is sensitive to differences in the metabolism of the bone. Besides cancers, a nuclear bone scan near me may help diagnose the following disorders:
- Arthritis
- Fractures
- Cancer in bone
- Paget’s disease
- Infection of the joints
- To analyse unexplained pain in the bones
- To assess bone trauma where ordinary X-Rays don’t offer insights
- To detect the curving of the long bones
Things to Expect during a Nuclear Bone Scan in Delhi
The nuclear bone scan procedure begins with an injection of radioactive substances into your body. The substance then travels through your body for the next two to four hours. Based on the reason for the bone scan, your healthcare provider may begin imaging immediately.
As the radiotracer spreads across your bloodstream, the bone cells gravitate to areas that need repairs. The radiotracers follow these cells and accumulate in spots where there is bone damage. After a period of one to two hours, our radiologist will scan your bones with a gamma camera.
The areas where the substance has settled will appear as dark spots on the image. We might repeat the testing procedure if the first attempt wasn’t conclusive. In some cases, we may also conduct a SPECT test to see deeper into your bones. For more information on nuclear bone scan in Delhi, consult with us today.
Preparing for a Bone Scan- Things to Know
Before a bone scan at City X-Ray Clinic, you don’t need to restrict your diet. You should let your healthcare provider know if you’ve taken a medicine containing bismuth. Barium and bismuth are substances that can interfere with the results of your bone scan. Here are some other precautions you should take before a bone scan for cancer.
Pregnancy
If you are pregnant, communicate with us during the initial appointment. We will discuss other options with you.
Clothing
We will suggest you to change into a patient gown. It is recommended to remove all piercings and leave all ornaments.
Allergies
Before we administer the nuclear medicine bone scan, you should communicate with us about allergies. Notify our radiologist if you are allergic to radiotracers. Note that the injection of the radiotracer may cause some slight discomfort.
Breastfeeding
If you are breastfeeding, notify us at the earliest. The radioactive tracers may contaminate the breast milk.
Things to Expect after a Bone Scan
To avoid any dizziness, we will keep you under examination for an hour. You should drink plenty of fluids and empty your bladder frequently. You can resume your usual diet and activities almost immediately. The bone scan with nuclear medicine involves no downtime.
For more details on nuclear bone scan cost in Delhi, consult with us today.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q1. What does a Bone Scan Identify?
A bone can be used to detect the source of unexplained skeletal pain.
Q2. How long does a Bone Scan take?
In most cases, a bone scan takes more than an hour. It is painless, and you can go home right after the test.