Bone Scan

A bone scan is a test that uses a radioactive substance (or tracer) to examine the bones in your entire body, or a certain area, in detail. The radiation you are exposed to with the injected radioactive substance is about the same as a regular x-ray.

A bone scan is performed to detect abnormalities in the skeletal system, such as injuries, tumors and infection. Bone scans can pick up these abnormalities in early stages when x-ray findings may still be completely normal.

During the test, your first step is to have a radioactive substance (or tracer) injected into a vein in your arm. You will not feel any effects from the injection. The radioactive substance travels through the blood, and eventually into the bones. The actual bone scan is done about three hours after the injection. Between injection time and scan time, you may leave the hospital and eat normally unless you are fasting for another test. You will be asked to drink extra fluids and pass your urine as often as you can during the three-hour waiting time. This helps clear the tracer from your tissue, enabling the bones to be seen more clearly. The tracer is eliminated from the body as waste, usually in the urine or stool. Elimination is usually complete within 24 hours. 

You will be positioned on a table with the camera above and below you if you are having one certain area scanned. If your whole body is being scanned, you will be positioned on the scanner table and move through the camera. Length of the exam is 30-45 minutes.

After the test you can resume your normal activities. 

Your bone scan pictures will be examined by a radiologist and your physician will receive a report of the findings and discuss the result with you.

Providing safe, quality patient care is our highest priority. To help ensure quality and safety, we ask that you do not bring young children with you to your appointments, as children are not allowed to accompany you during Imaging procedures. Staff is unable to monitor your child in your absence.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your doctor or contact Imaging Services at (320) 255-5619.

Your appointment is on:

Date: ________________ Time: ________________ at the following location:

____ St. Cloud Hospital - please check in at Door A

____ CentraCare Health Plaza - please check in at Woodlands Entrance