Are there any side effects from a bone scan?

A bone scan generally has no side effects, and no follow-up care is needed. The radioactivity from the tracers is usually completely eliminated two days after the scan.

Does radioactive tracer have side effects?

Radioactive tracers used in nuclear medicine are, in most cases, injected into a vein. For some studies, they may be given by mouth. These tracers aren’t dyes or medicines, and they have no side effects. The amount of radiation a patient receives in a typical nuclear medicine scan tends to be very low.

Can a bone scan cause cancer?

Patients want to know if radiation from mammograms, bone density tests, computed tomography (CT) scans, and so forth will increase their risk of developing cancer. For most women, there’s very little risk from routine x-ray imaging such as mammography or dental x-rays.

Is nuclear bone scan safe?

What are the risks of a bone scan? The amount of the radionuclide injected into your vein for the procedure is small enough that there is no need for precautions against radioactive exposure. The injection of the tracer may cause some slight discomfort. Allergic reactions to the tracer are rare, but may occur.

How long does a full body bone scan take?

The technologist may ask you to change positions during the scan. This helps to get pictures from different angles. A whole-body bone scan takes about 1 hour to finish.

Is radioactive dye harmful?

Radioactive dye is injected into the body to capture images of internal structures and to look for abnormalities. The radioactive nature of the dye is the main reason why some patients feel uneasy about undergoing the procedure. However, the test is primarily safe, and there are rarely any associated complications.

How long does it take for radioactive dye to leave your system?

The radioactive liquid will be in your body for 24 to 36 hours after your test. You will need to do the following: Drink plenty of liquids as directed. This will help flush the radioactive liquid out of your body.

What are the side effects of nuclear medicine?

Side Effects of Radiation

• skin reactions – tanning and redness similar to a sunburn can occur gradually during treatment, peaking after treatment ends.
• sore throat and/or mouth.
• difficulty and/or pain with swallowing.
• hoarseness.
• soreness or swelling in the neck.
• weight loss or dehydration.

Is a bone scan the same as MRI?

An MRI creates 3D images of the bone, whereas a bone scan creates two-dimensional (2D) images. The MRI provides a detailed view of the bone and its surrounding structures such as the ligaments, tendons and soft tissue. It diagnoses a bone condition more definitively and accurately than a bone scan.

What are the side effects of a bone scan?

Before a bone scan, the patient is injected with a radioactive material that travels throughout his bloodstream into the bones and organs. A specially designed camera detects the radiation emitted by the material while scanning the body. Bone scans have minimal side effects and risks, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons 1.

What is a SPECT scan and how safe is it?

The cross-section images from the SPECT scan can be clicked through to view the bones in different planes (cross-sections), rather than just the single plane of a regular bone scan. Bone scan with SPECT is relatively safe and has few risks.

Can a SPECT scan detect hidden fractures?

Areas of bone healing or cancer progression usually light up on SPECT scans, so this type of test is being used more frequently to help diagnose hidden bone fractures. SPECT scans can also diagnose and track the progression of cancer that has spread to the bones.

Do I need a bone scan or a SPECT scan?

If a fracture or other bone problem is small or located in a spot that is difficult to see (which is common in the spine given its intricate anatomy), SPECT is typically ordered in addition to the bone scan.