Is a bone scan better than a CT scan?

The specific use of a bone scan is to diagnose active bone diseases, such as osteoporosis, Paget's disease or the spread of cancer into the bone. A CT scan is a high-resolution X-ray that gives detailed information about organ anatomy.


Which is more accurate CT scan or bone scan?

CT scans of the bones can provide more detailed information about the bone tissue and bone structure than standard X-rays of the bone, thus providing more information related to injuries and/or diseases of the bone.

What is the most common reason for a bone scan?

Bone scans are used primarily to detect the spread of metastatic cancer. Because cancer cells multiply rapidly, they will appear as a hot spot on a bone scan. This is due to the increased bone metabolism and bone repair in the area of the cancer cells.


Why would a doctor order a bone scan?

A bone scan might help determine the cause of unexplained bone pain. The test is sensitive to differences in bone metabolism, which are highlighted in the body by the radioactive tracer. Scanning the whole skeleton helps in diagnosing a wide range of bone disorders, including: Fractures.

Does a bone scan show all cancers?

Using a bone scan when cancer is suspected can be particularly helpful because the scan can find both primary cancer—or, cancer that started in your bones—and bone metastases, which is cancer that has spread to the bones from another part of your body.


What happens during a bone scan?



Will a bone scan show arthritis?

While a bone density test alone can't determine whether you have arthritis, your doctor may order one if you have inflammatory types of joint disease, as these can be risk factors for bone loss.

Can you have a CT scan and a bone scan the same day?

If a CT scan is scheduled for the same day, an IV line will be placed prior to the injection for the bone scan. You may not eat until after the CT scan is completed.

When should bone scans be done?

Women should get a bone scan at age 65. Men age 70 and up may want to talk with their doctors about the risks and benefits before deciding. Younger women, and men ages 50 to 69, should consider the test if they have risk factors for serious bone loss.


At what age is a bone scan recommended?

Bone density tests are recommended for all women age 65 and older, and for younger women at higher-than-normal risk for a fracture. Men may want to discuss osteoporosis screening with their doctor if they're over age 70 or at high risk for thinning bones.

What should you not do before a bone scan?

Bone Density

There is minimal preparation before having your DEXA Scan. You must not take any calcium supplements (includes prescription and over-to-counter) the day of your DEXA scan. Wear loose and comfortable clothing with no metal. Remove any jewelry or other objects that may interfere with the study.

How long are you in the machine for a bone scan?

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.


Does a bone scan show inflammation?

Bone Scan is a study used to detect any inflammatory process in the body. When the source of pain is not clear the bone scan is able to direct the attention of your physician to the area inflammation. The inflammation may be caused by fracture, infection, tumor, or high bone turn over.

What do bright white spots on a bone scan mean?

Areas that absorb little or no amount of tracer appear as dark or "cold" spots. This could show a lack of blood supply to the bone or certain types of cancer. Areas of fast bone growth or repair absorb more tracer and show up as bright or "hot" spots in the pictures.

What scan is best for bones?

What Type of Scan is Best for Bone Density? Typically, these scans are performed with an X-ray, called a DEXA scan, or with a computed tomography (CT) scan of the bones. There are two types of DXA equipment: a central device and a peripheral device. Central devices measure bone density in the hip and spine.


Can a CT scan miss a fracture?

In summary, missed rib fractures are not uncommon, and radiologists should be familiar with buckle fractures that are frequently missed on imaging scans.

What imaging is best for bones?

Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is the current reference standard for evaluating bone density, as recommended by the International Society for Clinical Densitometry (ISCD).

What diseases can a bone scan detect?

A bone scan can help detect the following conditions:
  • benign or cancerous bone tumors.
  • secondary (metastatic) cancer to the bone.
  • non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
  • tumors in the soft tissue.
  • arthritis or joint inflammation.
  • osteomalacia, or bone softening, due to vitamin D deficiency.
  • osteomyelitis, or bone infection.


What does a bone scan diagnose?

Bone scan helps physicians evaluate the condition of your bones and detect fractures and other abnormalities that may be missed in a Bone Radiography or X-ray exam. Bone scan can provide early detection of primary cancer and cancer that has spread to the bones from other parts of the body.

How often should a 70 year old woman have a bone scan?

That is especially true in women. If you are a woman 65 or older, a bone density test is recommended, with a repeat test generally performed two years after the initial test, although this interval may change depending upon any treatments being administered.

Can you go home after a bone scan?

After Your Bone Scan

You can drive yourself home after your procedure, except if you took medication for claustrophobia. Most of the radioactive material will be out of your body within 24 hours after your scan. You don't need to limit contact with people.


Do they put you to sleep for a bone scan?

You may have local, site-specific anesthesia, or you may need general anesthesia. Under general anesthesia, you'll be in a painless sleep during the entire biopsy. During the procedure, your surgeon will make a small incision in your skin above the bone where the sample will come from.

Do you wear clothes for a bone scan?

No special preparations are needed. You may be able to remain fully clothed, depending on the area of your body being scanned. But you'll need to remove any clothes that have metal fasteners, such as zips, hooks or buckles. In some cases, you may need to wear a gown.

Can you see a bone tumor on a CT scan?

CT scans aren't usually as helpful as MRIs in showing the detail in and around bone tumors. But they are often done to look for possible cancer spread in other parts of the body, such as the lungs, liver, or other organs. CT scans can also be used to guide a biopsy needle into a tumor (a CT-guided needle biopsy).


What is better for bones MRI or CT scan?

CT scans create images of bones and soft tissues. However, they aren't as effective as MRIs at exposing subtle differences between types of tissue.

Can you see bone metastases on a CT scan?

For most types of cancer, CT is the modality of choice for staging in the chest and abdomen and for serial follow-up imaging. CT scans for these purposes encompass a large part of the axial skeleton and can thus detect, not just soft-tissue lesions, but osteoplastic or osteolytic bone metastases as well.