Pediatric Bone Scan (Nuclear Medicine)

A bone scan is a nuclear medicine exam in which the patient receives an injection of a radioactive substance followed by a scan of the entire skeleton. Bone scans are used to identify changes in the bone metabolism that may indicate a number of problems.

Nuclear medicine exams are unique because they provide a way to evaluate the function of various internal organs and tissues, rather than just the anatomy. Nuclear medicine scans are very safe. The patient receives a tiny amount of radioactive material so radiation exposure is minimal. The radioactive material is targeted to the specific body tissue being studied which limits exposure to other areas of the body. The energy emitted from the radioactive material is detected by a camera and used to create images which are studied by a radiologist.

This page contains the following information about nuclear medicine bone scans:

Reasons for Having a Bone Scan

Bone scanning is useful in diagnosing a number of benign orthopedic conditions, as well as for checking the spread of cancer. When a child suffers from back pain or a fracture is suspected, and x-rays are normal, a bone scan may be performed to further investigate the problem. Bone scans may identify fractures, areas of growth, arthritis, tumors and infections that won’t show up on an x-ray.

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Risks Involved in a Bone Scan

There is the risk of radiation exposure; however, a very small amount of radioactive material is used and the radiation exposure is well below the level that causes adverse affects. The radioactive material will generally clear your child’s body within 24 hours. Nuclear medicine has been used in newborns and children for more than three decades, and there are no known long-term adverse effects from such low-dose exams.

It is possible for your child to have side effects or adverse reactions to the radioactive materials; however, this is rare.

Your child may experience some discomfort during the injection of the radioactive material. He or she may also be uncomfortable lying on the scanner table for the amount of time necessary.

Conditions to Let Our Doctor Know About

There are no conditions that you need to report prior to this exam.

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Insurance Coverage

Bone scans are usually covered by insurance when ordered by a physician. Check with your insurance carrier to be sure. Please bring your insurance card with you to your exam.

Exam Locations

Pediatric bone scans may be performed at the following INVISION partner hospitals in the Denver, Colorado area. Exam results are evaluated by INVISION radiologists.

Please note:

INVISION is partially owned by Radiology Imaging Associates (RIA); consequently, your radiologist’s lab coat and your bill, if you receive one, may say RIA rather than INVISION.

Scheduling this Exam

To schedule a pediatric bone scan, please call the hospital where the exam will be performed.

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Preparation Guidelines

Following are the preparation instructions for this exam:

If sedation is required, your child must adhere to these food restrictions:

It is important that you also provide emotional support for your child before and during the procedure. If your child is old enough to understand, explain the procedure to him or her. Let him or her know that the exam won’t hurt and that he or she will have to lie very still throughout the exam. Also reassure your child that you will be able to remain in the room during the exam.

Support for Your Child during the Exam

We allow up to two adults in the nuclear medicine room with your child to provide support.

What to Expect During the Exam

Upon arriving in the radiology department for your appointment, you will be given paperwork to complete.

A bone scan consists of two parts. First, your child will receive an injection of radioactive material. There is then a 2-4 hour wait before the scan is taken. During this time, your child should drink several glasses of water.

For the second part of the exam, a technologist will position your child on a table. If your child requires sedation (usually for children under the age of 10), it will be given orally at this time. A nurse or technologist will monitor your child’s heart rate and oxygen level throughout the scan. A gamma camera will move over your child’s body to record images of the radioactive material inside the bones. The scan will last approximately 45 minutes. If your child is not sedated, he or she may watch a movie or listen to a CD during this time.

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Recovering from this Imaging Exam

Unless sedated, your child can return to his or her normal activities immediately after the exam.

If your child is sedated, he or she may be groggy after the exam. The sedation drug may stay in your child’s system throughout the day. Please anticipate a change in your child’s eating and sleeping habits for the remainder of the day. Although it isn’t essential that your child eat, it is important that your child drink fluids throughout the day. He or she should be back to normal the following day.

Getting Your Child's Exam Results

Trained and experienced pediatric radiologists interpret all exams, and then report the specific results to the physician who ordered your exam. Your physician will usually receive the report on the day of the exam. Your physician will then pass the results onto you. Our radiologists and technologists will be happy to answer questions about the exam procedure itself; however, they will not provide the exam results at the time the exam is performed.

Additional Information

The information on this page was taken in part from some of the following web sites. Visit these sites for additional information on bone scans.

Sources

Bone scans may identify fractures, areas of growth, arthritis, tumors and infections that won’t show up on an x-ray With a bone scan, the patient receives an injection of a radioactive substance followed by a scan of the entire skeleton