A bone scan is often ordered when a patient has a broken bone. The exam can diagnose any subtle or hidden fractures that are often not seen in a routine x-ray. If a patient has chronic foot pain, a bone scan will show if there is a stress fracture. The study is also used if bone cancer, bone infection, arthritis or other bone pain is present in a patient. A bone scan is also helpful in detecting bone abnormalities from Paget’s Disease, osteomalacia, fibrous dysplasia or avascular necrosis. It is also used to see if cancer has metastasized to the bone.
Normal bone scan - 12 year old boy
A bone scan is often ordered when a patient has a broken bone. The exam can diagnose any subtle or hidden fractures that are often not seen in a routine x-ray. If a patient has chronic foot pain, a bone scan will show if there is a stress fracture. The study is also used if bone cancer, bone infection, arthritis or other bone pain is present in a patient. A bone scan is also helpful in detecting bone abnormalities from Paget’s Disease, osteomalacia, fibrous dysplasia or avascular necrosis. It is also used to see if cancer has metastasized to the bone.
Normal bone scan - 12 year old boy