Health Information
Bone Scan
Results
The results of a bone scan are usually available within 2 days.
| Normal: |
The radioactive tracer is evenly spread among the bones. No areas of too much or too little tracer are seen. |
|---|---|
| Abnormal: |
The tracer has accumulated in certain areas of the bone, indicating one or more "hot" spots. Hot spots may be caused by a fracture that is healing, bone cancer, a bone infection (Reference osteomyelitis Opens New Window), Reference arthritis Opens New Window, or a disease of abnormal bone Reference metabolism Opens New Window (such as Reference Paget's disease Opens New Window). |
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Certain areas of the bone lack the presence of tracer, indicating one or more "cold" spots. Cold spots may be caused by a certain type of cancer (such as Reference multiple myeloma Opens New Window) or lack of blood supply to the bone (bone infarction). |
| By: | Reference Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: Reference October 1, 2012 |
| Medical Review: | Reference Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine
Reference Myo Min Han, MD - Nuclear Medicine |
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