How can I interpret the results of bone scanning?
Bone scanning is a imaging test that the doctor performs to check abnormalities and diagnose various health conditions such as bone disease, infection or cancer. Doctors will interpret the results of bones scan and discuss with you, but you can also see the results for yourself. Bone scan display results are usually available about two days after the procedure. After evaluating the results, the patient may need to undergo further diagnostic tests to verify the findings.
In order to interpret the results of bone scanning, it is useful to understand how the imaging test works. The doctor puts radioactive material into the patient's veins. When this material disintegrates, it emits radiation that can be detected using special camera equipment. Radioactive tracking material should move around the body and distribute evenly on the bones. Doctors will interpret the results of bone scanning on the basis of whether the radioactive material distribute evenly or if se collects in a particular area.
The normal test result is visible when the radioactive hitchhiking material does not accumulate heavily in one or more areas, but is evenly distributed. Abnormal results appear when "hot spots" can be seen. Hot places are bones that have collected an excessive amount of radioactive indicator. These places may indicate a problem such as bone infection, cancer or simply bone fracture that has not been healed yet.
Sometimes the material of radioactive hitchhiking is not divided into certain areas. This is called "cold places". The lack of a radioactive stopper in these areas may also indicate a problem such as cancer. It may also indicate that the bone area does not receive sufficient blood supply called bone heart attack.
Bone scan results are useful for finding areas of potential problems; HoweverHe cannot make a diagnosis himself. The doctor can find a hot place or cold place, but the results do not necessarily tell him what the cause is. After evaluating the results of bone scanning, the patient may be subjected to further tests. These tests may include bone tissue biopsy or other imaging tests such as X -rays or magnetic resonance (MRI). The doctor also considers the patient's medical history to diagnose.
patients should also remember that some factors may interfere with bone scan results. For example, having a full bladder during the test can block the pelvic bone camera scan. Patients who do not stay completely during the scan can also have inconclusive results.