You may have been told by a doctor that you need to have some tests done on your bones. At that time, you may have also been told about a `Whole-Body Bone Scan`. So it is normal to feel a little scared and curious when you hear this name. That is why I thought I would tell you about this `Whole-Body Bone Scan` in simple, understandable Sinhala. Let's see what it is, how it is done, and what you can find out.
What is this `Whole-Body Bone Scan`?
Simply put, a Whole-Body Bone Scan is a special scan that checks the health of your entire body's bones. Doctors often recommend this scan to see if a condition like cancer has spread to the bones (metastasized). It is also used to determine the stage of a cancer, or how far it has spread (cancer stage).
This belongs to the field of nuclear medicine . This is a special ``imaging`` technique used there. The name may sound like a big deal, but this test method is painless, effective, and safe for most people.
Before this `scan`, you will be given a small `injection`. This is called a `radiotracer` (a radioactive substance). Don't be afraid, this contains a very small, safe dose of radiation. This `radiotracer` goes to the places where there are any changes or irregularities in the bones inside the body and accumulates. Then, when the `scan` is done, those places can be seen clearly. It's like marking important places on a map. This makes it easier for the doctor to find the exact location of the disease.
What can be found with this `Scan`?
A `Whole-Body Bone Scan` shows the damage and changes that have occurred in your bones. However, the `scan` does not always tell what caused this damage. Other tests are needed to find out.
Doctors use this scan as one tool in the diagnosis process for various medical conditions. Here are a few examples:
- Avascular necrosis is damage caused by decreased blood flow to the bones.
- Bone cancer.
- Bone fractures - Sometimes this can detect even small fractures that are not visible on an X-ray.
- Bone infection, that is `osteomyelitis`.
- Fibrous dysplasia - This is an abnormal growth of fibrous tissue in the bones.
- Joint diseases like osteoarthritis.
- Paget's disease of the bone / osteitis deformans - This is a disorder in which the body's bone repair process is disrupted.
- Unexplained bone pain is a persistent bone pain that cannot be explained.
How does this `Scan` work?
The way this works is very simple. First, I told you about the `radiotracer injection` that you are given. That `radiotracer` goes through your blood and collects in the areas where there are some changes in the cells of the bones, where there is an abnormal activity. These cell changes can be due to cancer or another disease.
Then, a large scanner called a gamma camera takes pictures of your body. In these gamma images, the areas where the radiotracer has collected appear as "hot spots," which means they glow brightly. Like stars shining in the dark.
Do I need to prepare before the scan?
In most cases, no special preparation is required for a Whole-Body Bone Scan. Your medical team will give you clear instructions about this.
- You can usually eat and drink as usual and take your usual medications. However, if your doctor advises otherwise, you should do so.
- The most important thing is to remove any metal objects on your body (such as jewelry, belts with metal buckles) before the scan.
- If you have a metal joint implant, a dental implant, or a pacemaker, be sure to tell your doctor so they can decide if this scan is safe for you.
What to expect on the day of the scan?
On the day of the scan, you will need to stay at the hospital or imaging center for a few hours. Here's what happens:
1. The `Injection`: First, a technician `injects` the `radiotracer` liquid into a vein in your arm. This is like a regular `injection`, it feels like a small needle.
2. Waiting time: After that, you have to wait for about one to four hours. During this time, the radiotracer travels throughout your body and is absorbed into your bones. You won't feel anything while it's in your body.
3. Drink water and urinate: During this waiting period, you will be asked to drink several glasses of water and urinate frequently. Do you know why? This is to help your body quickly remove any excess radiotracer that hasn't been absorbed into your bones.
4. To the `Scan` room: The technician will then take you to the `scan` room. There, you will be asked to lie face up on an `exam table`.
5. Scanning: A large camera (called a gamma camera) will move over your body and take pictures.
6. Holding your breath: Sometimes, to get clear, blur-free pictures, you're told to hold your breath for a few seconds.
7. Changing positions: You may be asked to change your body position slightly because you need to take pictures from different angles.
How long does the scan take?
The scan itself usually takes about 30 to 60 minutes to take the images. However, with the additional hours it takes for the radiotracer to be absorbed into the blood, the total time can be several hours.
What happens after the `Scan`?
After the Whole-Body Bone Scan, you can go home. You can resume your normal activities (including driving) right away. However, your doctor may tell you to drink plenty of fluids for a couple of days to allow any remaining radiotracer to be completely eliminated from your body.
What are the risks and side effects of this?
This is a safe test for most people. The dose of radiotracer you receive is so small that you usually don't need to take any special precautions to prevent others from being exposed to radiation. However, in some cases, you may be asked to stay away from people like young children and pregnant women for about 24 hours.
Very important: If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or think you may be pregnant, you must tell your doctor. This Whole-Body Bone Scan is not suitable for pregnant or breastfeeding women.
Most people do not experience any side effects from this scan. Apart from a slight stinging sensation when the injection is given, the scan is not painful. There may be some bruising and swelling where the injection was given. This will subside in a few days.
What do the scan results say?
A Whole-Body Bone Scan shows where your bones are abnormal, called "hot spots." While the results may show suspicious areas, they don't always tell you what the underlying cause is. This means that if the scan shows a bone problem, you'll likely need to do more tests to find the exact cause.
How long does it take to know the results?
The results of the scan are not available immediately. It usually takes about a week or two for the doctor to tell you the results. After the scan, you can ask the medical team when you can expect the results.
If the results are abnormal, what do you do next?
Suppose your Whole-Body Bone Scan results show something suspicious. If so, you may need to do some more tests to find the cause. For example:
- Biopsy (taking a small piece of tissue from a suspicious area for examination)
- A CT (computed tomography) scan
- An MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan
- A PET (Positron emission tomography / PET) scan
Is this `Bone Scan` and `Whole-Body Bone Scan` the same thing?
Yes, sometimes doctors use the terms "bone scan" and "whole-body bone scan" interchangeably. But sometimes, when they're looking at just one joint or one bone, rather than the whole body, they call it a "bone scan."
Another thing, some people call a "bone scan" a DEXA scan. Don't get it confused. A DEXA scan is a type of X-ray that measures your bone density (the strength of your bones). It's completely different from the nuclear medicine Whole-Body Bone Scan that we're talking about.
Are `Whole-Body Bone Scan` and `MRI` the same thing?
No, a `Whole-Body Bone Scan` and an `MRI` are two different things. An `MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)` uses magnets and radio waves. It can take three-dimensional (3D) pictures of your body. However, a `Whole-Body Bone Scan` uses that `radiotracer` substance and a special `gamma camera`. It takes two-dimensional (2D) pictures.
Take-Home Message
It's normal to feel a little nervous and scared when you're told you need a Whole-Body Bone Scan. But there's no need to panic. The process is simpler and quicker than you might think. Plus, it's one of the best ways to find out about the health of your entire body's bones.
If you want to know more about this, or if you have any questions, don't be shy and ask your doctor. They will tell you more about this. Remember, the most important thing is to be informed about your health.
` Bone scan, bone scan, cancer, bone health, radioactive material, gamma camera, diagnosis, bone disease, nuclear medicine, scan
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