Bone - SPECT and Planar
Bone scanning is a well established technique and is one of the most reliable, sensitive and valuable procedures in scintigraphy. The scan can detect abnormalities weeks to months before routine skeletal x-rays.
Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)
This is an imaging modality that combines conventional scintigraphic and computed tomographic (CT) methods.
Bone scanning is used for:
- Sports injuries e.g. stress fractures, shin splints, scaphoid fracture.
- Evaluation of bone pain.
- Detection, evaluation and staging of skeletal metastases and/or primary bone disease.
- Early diagnosis of osteomyelitis (osteomyelitis v cellulitis).
- Localisation and follow up of Paget's disease.
- Evaluation of hip and knee prostheses.
- Detection of AVN.
- Confirmation and evaluation of non-accidental injury in children.
What to expect
This is an imaging modality that combines conventional scintigraphic and computed tomographic (CT) methods.
For a bone scan two appointments are made. The first appointment is for an injection of a radiopharmaceutical and the second, three hours later, for the acquisition of delayed images. You are free to go away during this three hour interval.
For most appointments allow about 15 minutes for the first part of the scan and about 30 minutes for the second part.
Document Downloads
Bone Scan(PDF, 1.3 MB)
When a bone scan is needed and how the procedure is performed.
When a bone scan is needed and how the procedure is performed.
