Bone scan is an imaging test used to evaluate bone health, detect conditions such as osteoporosis, and assess fracture risk. This non-invasive method uses low-dose radiation to measure bone density. The scan typically examines areas like the hip, spine, and wrist, where fractures are most common.
Bone scan helps detect bone loss at an early stage, allowing for necessary precautions to be taken. It is recommended for postmenopausal women and individuals at risk of osteoporosis to protect bone health and reduce fracture risk. Additionally, this test is used to identify serious conditions such as bone cancer or metastasis.
Bone density measurement plays a role in diagnosing the following diseases:
- Osteoporosis (bone loss): Detects decreases in bone density and assesses fracture risk.
- Osteopenia: Identifies mild decreases in bone density that precede osteoporosis.
- Bone metastasis: Determines if cancer has spread to the bones.
- Bone tumors: Evaluates the presence or spread of tumors in the bones.
- Paget’s disease: Detects abnormal bone growth and deformities.
- Bone infections (osteomyelitis): Diagnoses bone inflammation.
- Fractures: Helps identify small, non-visible stress fractures.
How is a Bone Scan Performed?
A bone test is performed to assess the density and health of bones. It is commonly used to detect decreases in bone density, such as in osteoporosis. The most widely used method is the DEXA (Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry) scan.
The DEXA scan is typically performed on the spine, hip, and wrist, which are the areas most prone to fractures. This method provides a detailed examination of the body’s bone structure, allowing early detection of bone loss.
During the test, the patient lies on a special table, and images are taken using low-dose radiation. These images measure bone mineral density and provide information about bone health. The test takes about 10-30 minutes and is painless.
This method helps detect bone loss early and assess fracture risk. The results are analyzed by doctors to guide the diagnosis and treatment of conditions such as osteoporosis.
In some cases, more detailed bone evaluation is required. In these situations, nuclear medicine techniques are used. In nuclear medicine, a radioactive substance is used to obtain detailed images of the bones. This method is used to detect more serious conditions, such as bone tumors, metastases, or bone infections.
Based on the bone test results, appropriate treatment and preventive measures are planned for the patient. A bone scan is a recommended health check, especially for older adults or those at risk.
Why is a Bone Scan Done?
The most common use of a bone scan is to detect conditions that lead to decreased bone density, such as osteoporosis. It is a critical method for evaluating fracture risk, especially in postmenopausal women and those at risk of bone loss. If bone density decreases are detected early, appropriate treatment and lifestyle changes can help protect bone health.
A bone test is also performed to detect cancer metastases in the bones, evaluate bone infections (osteomyelitis), and examine bone tumors. In these cases, a more advanced test, known as bone scintigraphy, may be used.
Bone scintigraphy uses a radioactive substance to provide detailed images of the bones. This method helps detect abnormalities in the bones early, speeding up the treatment process.
Bone density testing is also important in diagnosing conditions like Paget’s disease, which causes structural abnormalities in the bones. Nuclear medicine techniques such as scintigraphy and other bone scans help detect such conditions early, guiding patients to the appropriate treatment.
Which Department Performs a Bone Scan?
A bone scan is usually performed in the radiology or nuclear medicine departments. The radiology department uses methods like DEXA (Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry) to measure bone density, while the nuclear medicine department performs more advanced imaging methods, such as bone scintigraphy, to examine bone abnormalities.
Patients undergo bone scans under the guidance of their physicians. Detailed examinations are conducted in cases of suspected conditions such as osteoporosis, tumors, or metastasis.
At What Age is a Bone Scan Recommended?
A bone scan is recommended for individuals over the age of 50 and postmenopausal women. In people at risk of osteoporosis, early detection of bone loss helps initiate the treatment process. However, certain conditions, such as fractures, long-term steroid use, or diseases affecting bone density, may require bone scans at younger ages.
Doctors determine the appropriate age for a bone scan based on the individual’s overall health and risk factors.
