Why would a doctor order a nuclear bone scan?

Why would a doctor order a nuclear bone scan?

A bone scan is a nuclear imaging test that helps diagnose and track several types of bone disease. Your doctor may order a bone scan if you have unexplained skeletal pain, a bone infection or a bone injury that can’t be seen on a standard X-ray.

What does a nuclear scan detect?

By measuring the behavior of the radionuclide in the body during a nuclear scan, the healthcare provider can assess and diagnose various conditions, such as tumors, infections, hematomas, organ enlargement, or cysts. A nuclear scan may also be used to assess organ function and blood circulation.

Why would you have a nuclear scan?

Nuclear scans can help doctors diagnose many conditions, including cancers, injuries, and infections. They can also show how organs like your heart and lungs are working.

What is nuclear medicine before mastectomy?

Before your surgeon begins the surgery, a special type of. blue dye is injected into your breast tumor or previous biopsy site. The radioactive tracer and the blue dye mark the path from the breast cancer to the sentinel node(s). The surgeon is then able to remove the node(s) identified by the dye or radioactivity.

Why would a urologist order a bone scan?

A bone scan is a test that identifies new areas of bone growth or breakdown. It can be done to evaluate damage to the bones, detect cancer that has spread (metastasized) to the bones, and monitor conditions that can affect the bones (including infection and trauma).

How long does it take to get the results from a bone scan?

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.

What ailments are typically diagnosed and treated via nuclear medicine procedures?

Examples of diseases treated with nuclear medicine procedures are hyperthyroidism, thyroid cancer, lymphomas, and bone pain from some types of cancer. The amount of radioactive materials used in diagnosing illnesses depends on the needs of the person and range from a small amount to a large amount.

What is the difference between a nuclear scan and a CT scan?

The main difference between nuclear imaging and CT scans is that nuclear imaging assesses how organs function and CT scans assess how organs look.

How long does it take for a nuclear scan?

A nuclear scan usually takes about 30 to 60 minutes, plus the waiting time after the radioactive material is given. For bone scans, the material takes 2 to 3 hours to be absorbed.

What are the signs that you have a cancerous lymph node?

What Are Signs and Symptoms of Cancerous Lymph Nodes?

• Lump(s) under the skin, such as in the neck, under the arm, or in the groin.
• Fever (may come and go over several weeks) without an infection.
• Drenching night sweats.
• Weight loss without trying.
• Itching skin.
• Feeling tired.
• Loss of appetite.

What are the side effects of having lymph nodes removed?

Other side effects of lymph node removal can include:

• infection.
• a build up of fluid at the site you had surgery (seroma)
• problems with your wound healing.
• numbness, tingling or pain in the area – this is due to nerve injury.
• blood clots – more common after removal of lymph nodes in the groin area.
• scarring.

Do you get bone scan results immediately?

During a bone scan, a radioactive substance is injected into a vein that is taken up by your bones. You’ll then be monitored for several hours. A very small amount of radiation is used in the substance, and nearly all of it is released from your body within two or three days.

When is nuclear medicine breast imaging appropriate?

However, after a physical breast exam, mammography, and ultrasound are performed, nuclear medicine breast imaging may be appropriate for certain patients. Supplemental breast imaging helps determine whether a patient has a suspicious breast abnormality that would require a biopsy to confirm the presence of breast cancer.

What are the benefits of a nuclear medicine scan?

Nuclear medicine scans can help doctors find tumors and see how much the cancer has spread in the body (called the cancer’s stage ). They may also be used to decide if treatment is working.

What can a nuclear scan tell you about cancer?

Nuclear scans are often used to find out whether cancer from another place in your body (such as your breast, for instance) has spread to your bones. You might hear a doctor or nurse called this metastatic cancer. Your doctor also might order the test if you have unexplained pain in your bones.

How long does a nuclear medicine scan take?

Other terms your doctor might use for a nuclear medicine scan are: Most scans don’t take more than an hour or so, though you may have to wait a few hours as health care workers prep you for the test. These scans are usually done at a nuclear medicine or radiology department at a hospital.