Leukocytes (white blood cells [WBCs]) usually do not accumulate at sites of increased bone mineral turnover in the absence of infection. Bone scintigraphy (a.k.a. Search. It is common to perform a limited scan with 3-phase imaging when the clinical concern is a stress fracture or shin splints. This is a simple bone scan which is performed with the assistance of a tracer- technetium. (1979) The Western journal of medicine. Summary. A bone scan is an imaging test used to help diagnose problems with your bones. Bone scintigraphy is one of the most frequently performed of all radionuclide procedures. All patients were evaluated within 48 h after rewarming and all underwent a first bone scan (BS1) within 5 days after rewarming (median, day 2) (group 1). 4. Technetium (Tc-99m) is an isotope commonly used in a number of medical diagnostic imaging scans. Nuclear scintigraphy of the bone commonly utilizes the radionuclides technetium-99m (Tc-99m) or fluoride-18 (F-18). However diagnosing the reason would take more investigation and the scan alone will not help. Tc99m is used as a radioactive tracer for nuclear medicine; which is a form of medical imaging that assesses how particular parts of our body are working or functioning. Your doctor will need to know basics such as whether you are pregnant or breast feeding. Bone Scan (99m Technetium Skeletal Scintigraphy) Author: Gesche Tallen, MD, PhD, Editor: Maria Yiallouros, Reviewer: Prof. Dr. med. For bone scans , the pertechnetate ion is used directly, as it is taken up by osteoblasts attempting to heal a skeletal injury, or (in some cases) as a reaction of these cells to a tumor (either primary or metastatic) in the bone. Radionuclide bone imaging is quick, relatively inexpensive, widely available, and exquisitely sensitive and is invaluable in the diagnostic evaluation of numerous pathologic conditions. Design:Meta-analysis. More that 85% of these kinds of imaging procedures use this particular type of technetium isotope. The technetium-99m tracer travels through the blood and its uptake by the skeleton is maximal after three hours, which imposes an equivalent waiting period between injection and passage under the gamma camera. In most cases, however, a whole-body bone scan is performed. Purpose:To determine the diagnostic performance of technetium bone scanning in the setting of possible osteomyelitis in the foot of a patient who has diabetes or other vasculopathy. Short demonstration of radioactivity in the body after an intravenous injection of Technetium 99 for a bone scan. Archives of Orthopaedic and Traumatic Surgery, Vol. Nuclear medicine bone scans rely on osteoblastic activity (bone formation) for diagnosis. Artificial sphincter for urinary incontinence in men. It safely uses a very small amount of a radioactive drug called a radiopharmaceutical. ... symmetric nature of the scans was suggestive of an underlying metabolic muscle disorder. It can be used to check the progress of physical ailments affecting our bones, such as the manner in which cancer has progressed. The same sort of imaging procedure also enables in making more informed decisions about various treatment for different problems. [Tracer kinetic modeling in nuclear medicine]. Finally, bone scans may include special procedures such as 3-phase imaging or SPECT imaging. We performed a retrospective study of the results of two-phase technetium-99m hydroxymethylene diphosphonate bone scans in 88 patients with severe frostbite of the extremities. Alazraki N, Dries D, Datz F et-al. Bone scans were usually obtained within 1 month of the initial diagnosis of carcinoma of prostate and in 71 % of patients were obtained within 2 weeks or less of histological diagnosis. Eighty-six technetium-99m sulfur colloid (Tc-SC) bone-marrow scans in 56 pediatric oncology patients were reviewed. TABLE 2. Sometimes a fourth (delayed/delayed) phase is performed. ADVERTISEMENT: Radiopaedia is free thanks to our supporters and advertisers. I do hope to have a real sample some day, but in the mean time, this is a nice book written by a couple of people who seem to have plenty. This may be as close as I ever come to a technetium sample, given that it's highly radioactive and highly regulated. Technetium scans. If so the doctor would recommend precautionary measures to be followed before and after the procedure. The Japanese journal of nuclear medicine. Depending on the study there might be a waiting time before the scan (allowing the isotope enough time to gather in the particular study site). The study has three phases which follow intravenous injection of the tracer. 1. Unable to process the form. The term bone scan basically implies a procedure wherein a closer look at the bones is obtained with the use of tracers, which must be injected into the person undergoing the bone scan. The scan could also be called  by other names such as technetium 99 bone scan. Ziessman HA, O'Malley JP, Thrall JH. 1985;26 (7): 711-7. ROI drawn over fracture site and its contralateral part at (A) 15 min and (B) 1 hr. The technetium-99m radioisotope is used predominantly in bone and brain scans. What essentially happens in any such imaging procedure is that the scan is taken with the aid of a special imaging tracer. hip joint prosthesis: evaluation for infection or, 2-to-5 second images are obtained for 60 seconds after injection, characterizes blood flow to a particular area, demonstrates the blood pool (balance between plasma and interstitium), not the blood flow, inflammation causes capillary dilatation and increased blood flow, urinary excretion has decreased the amount of the radionuclide in soft tissue, mechanism of uptake is not known with certainty, although it has been proposed that the radiotracer attaches to hydroxyapatite crystals (chemisorption), degree of uptake depends on blood flow and rate of new bone formation, obtained 24 hours after injection as a static image. Technetium 99m-methyl diphosphonate (99mTc MDP) is a radiotracer used in nuclear medicine especially for bone scintigraphy. Bone scan. It is important to note that such scans are typically helpful when looking at whether or not something is wrong with the bones and whether a disease has made progress. For bone scans , the pertechnetate ion is used directly, as it is taken up by osteoblasts attempting to heal a skeletal injury, or (in some cases) as a reaction of these cells to a tumor (either primary or metastatic) in the bone. Information from functional kidneys is readily available to imagers on bone scan and should be fully exploited. Recent nuclear medicine scan or treatment – patients requiring multiple nuclear medicine scans (for example a bone scan and a myocardial perfusion scan) need to have their procedures coordinated for the most effective schedule. Bone scan changes occur whenever there is an increase in blood flow to a lesion or there is an alteration in os-teoblastic activity. The technetium phosphate bone scan in the diagnosis of osteomyelitis in childhood. The edit is telling us we cannot report the bone scan CPT code and HCPCS code A9503 for the MDP on the same date of service – with or without a modifier. Overview; Related conditions; Information; This scan allows us to detect areas of abnormal bone formation caused by various conditions in the entire body. Technetium-99m is used is used in many cases. 99, No. The phosphate-bound technetium accumulates wherever increased bone cell metabolism takes place. With the help of this tracer, the doctor can then view scanned images of your bone since the tracer material shows up on such film. This is a simple bone scan which is performed with the assistance of a tracer- technetium. Tc-99m diphosphonate is administered intravenously, at a dose of 740 Mbq (20 mCi) in adults. Technetium 99m MDP bone scintigraphy is frequently performed for the comprehensive evaluation of osseous metastasis or acute bone injury not fully assessed by radiography or computed tomography. In a clinical … Value of a 24-hour image (four-phase bone scan) in assessing osteomyelitis in patients with peripheral vascular disease. We will give you a small injection containing a small amount of radioactivity, called a “tracer”. Technetium-99m ( 99m Tc) is a short-lived (half-life about 6 hours) metastable nuclear isomer used in nuclear medicine, produced from molybdenum-99. Tc-99m is usually attached to medronic acid (Tc-99m MDP), and F-18 is usually incorporated into sodium fluoride (F-18 NaF). Medical Health Tests Technetium Scan. Some investigators have reported that the test lacks sensitivity, whereas others have reported poor specificity. The distribution of the sulfur colloid was similar to that in adult bone marrow in normal children older than 10 yr, and involved progressively more marrow of the extremities in normal children under 10 years of age. A bone scan is an imaging test used to help diagnose problems with your bones. McDougall IR. Technetium-99m radioisotopes are used primarily in bone and brain scans. Pain in the chest wall stimulating heart disease. Copyright © 2019 Mac Millan Interactive Communications, LLC. In healthy children, such an area would be growth plates in the joints, for example. Radionuclide bone imaging: an illustrative review. Only 13% of children with proved septic arthritis had correct blind scan interpretation. We are getting a CCI edit between our nuclear medicine bone scans and the radiopharmaceutical we always use in conjunction with bone scans (technetium medronate / MDP). In order to view small lesions SPECT imaging technique may be preferred over planar scintigraphy. There are limitations and pitfalls associated with a combined study. Out of 72 patients who had both evaluable Technetium TC 99M Sestamibi scans and evaluable angiographic images, only one patient had both an abnormal angiogram and an abnormal Technetium TC 99M Sestamibi scan. Howie DW, Savage JP, Wilson TG, Paterson D. We reviewed the technetium phosphate scans of 280 patients who had been referred with a clinical diagnosis of osteomyelitis in order to establish the diagnostic accuracy of this procedure. Bone Scintigraphy (or bone scanning) is a valuable tool in the evaluation of the skeletal system. 253 . The technetium phosphate bone scans of 106 children with suspected septic arthritis were reviewed to determine whether the bone scan can accurately differentiate septic from nonseptic arthropathy. Mosby. Bone scanning (skeletal scintigraphy) utilizes a disphosphonate compound, tagged with technetium 99m, which becomes incorporated into bone by osteoblastic activity after intravenous injection. bone scans; costochondritis; technetium; Of patients admitted to the hospital with a chief complaint of acute chest pain and suspected acute myocardial infarction, a significant number of those in whom infarction is found not to have occurred appear to have costochondritis as the source of their pain, 1. This procedure is generally performed in purpose of detection of bone metastases, bone infections or small fractures which cannot be visualized with an X-ray. However, the bone scan appearances in metabolic bone disease are often non-specific, and their recognition depends on increased tracer uptake throughout the whole skeleton. Purpose:To determine the diagnostic performance of technetium bone scanning in the setting of possible osteomyelitis in the foot of a patient who has diabetes or other vasculopathy. The technetium phosphate bone scans of 106 children with suspected septic arthritis were reviewed to determine whether the bone scan can accurately differentiate septic from nonseptic arthropathy. A bone scan helps your doctor evaluate how your bones are working, and provides information to help diagnose and treat your condition. The technetium-99m radioisotope is used predominantly in bone and brain scans. It can show injury to the bones, the effects of disease such as cancer or infection, as well as any improvement or deterioration in a bone abnormality after any treatment you might be having. Design:Meta-analysis. In theory, labeled WBC scintigraphy should be extremely useful for diagnosing osteomyelitis (,1,,2); however, reported results have varied widely. This … This gives a total scan time of around 15–20 minutes. One can even check on infections which would affect the bone and other health problems. Tc-99m bone scan reveals confluent areas of moderately increased activity predominately around the medial and lateral aspects of the thighs. This may be as close as I ever come to a technetium sample, given that it's highly radioactive and highly regulated. Radiographics. The use of scans enables the doctor to take a better look at the possible injuries to the bones, which enables better treatment. For bone scans, it is used directly, as they attempt to heal a skeletal injury, or in some cases as a reaction of these cells to a tumor in the bone. ADVERTISEMENT: Supporters see fewer/no ads, Please Note: You can also scroll through stacks with your mouse wheel or the keyboard arrow keys. A serendipitous discovery of occult pathosis following a technetium 99m diphosphonate bone scan. Keywords: technetium scans; uncemented hip replacement Summary Persistent increased uptake on a technetium bone scan after a cemented hip replacement usually indicates pathology, eitherloosening or infection. The study has three phases which follow intravenous injection of the tracer. Atlas of technetium bone scans. The technetium-99m radioisotope is used predominantly in bone and brain scans. This tracer is injected into the body through the normal process of administering an injection. (1993) Kaku igaku. Data identification and study selection:To be eligible for inclusion, a report must have used intravenous technetium-99m methylene diphosphonate or a similar agent in humans over the age of … One short-lived gamma ray-emitting nuclear isomer of technetium—technetium-99m—is used in nuclear medicine for a wide variety of diagnostic tests, such as bone cancer diagnoses. Case 5: calcified hepatic metastases: prostate carcinoma, Case 6: hypertrophic pulmonary osteoarthropathy, Case 8: breast cancer skeletal metastases, Case 13: prostate cancer skeletal metatases. The edit is telling us we cannot report the bone scan CPT code and HCPCS code A9503 for the MDP on the same date of service – with or without a modifier. Bone scans use technetium-99m labelled bisphosphonates ('diphosphonates') such as Tc-99m methylene diphosphonate (MDP) and Tc-99m hydroxy diphosphonate (HDP). We used technetium Tc 99m medronate (methylene diphosphonate) scanning in the treatment of seven patients with rhabdomyolysis. Technetium bone scan is one of the procedures of nuclear medicine. Bone scans may be instrumental in detecting tumors of the spine, and images of the entire body can be obtained in a fairly short period of time. bone scans) are a nuclear medicine (scintigraphic) study that makes use of technetium-99m (commonly Tc-99m-methylene diphosphonate (MDP)) as the active agent. Only 13% of children with proved septic arthritis had correct "blind" scan interpretation. {"url":"/signup-modal-props.json?lang=us\u0026email="}. Journal of Endodontics, Vol. People often face hairline fractures and other such injuries to their bones when they fall or in some way hurt themselves. The radionuclide bone scan 3 months after the initiation of treatment for advanced cancer of the prostate occasionally shows apparent progression of individual lesions despite clinical improvement. The clinically adjusted interpretation did not identify septic arthritis in 30%. A technetium bone scan is nothing but a regular bone scan with technetium used as tracer. BMJ. 1. 2003;23 (2): 341-58. Bone scanning (skeletal scintigraphy) utilizes a disphosphonate compound, tagged with technetium 99m, which becomes incorporated into bone by osteoblastic activity after intravenous injection. Nuclear Med offers a wide variety of studies. Any disease process which results in extracellular fluid expansion will lead to accumulation of this tracer. For this reason, bone scan images also reveal abnormalities in non-neoplastic diseases such as: – Osteomyelitis – Perthes’ disease, avascular necrosis – Metabolic disorders (Paget’s disease, osteoporosis) 30 (12): 1497-501. Summary. A bone scan (skeletal scintigraphy) is an imaging modality in which an intravenously administered radioactive tracer with an affinity for bone (e.g., Tc99m-methylene biphosphonate) is used to visualize areas of increased metabolic activity within bone with the aid of a gamma camera. A technetium-99m generator, or colloquially a technetium … An example of the element Technetium: Sample Image; Atlas of technetium bone scans. Can you explain? In layman’s term, a technetium bone scan is nothing but a simple bone scan with the use of technetium as a tracer. A technetium bone scan is nothing but a regular bone scan with technetium used as tracer. All patients were referred for bone scan within 1-month after performing Hajj and/or Umra. This procedure is generally performed in purpose of detection of bone metastases, bone infections or small fractures which cannot be visualized with an … 4. 5. Dr. h. c. Günter Henze, English Translation: Hannah McRae, Last modification: 2015/04/22 The bone or skeletal scintigraphy is one of the most commonly used nuclear imaging techniques in cancer medicine. There is TECHNETIUM-99M POLYPHOSPHATE BONE SCANNING zyxwvut 545 … Technetium tc 99m medronate is given through a needle placed in one of your veins before you have a bone scan. The distribution of these tracers is dependent on the rate of bone turnover and blood flow. Like their therapeutic counterparts, these radiolabelled bisphosphonates bind to hydroxyapatite at sites of active bone formation (osteogenesis). The term bone scan basically implies a procedure wherein a closer look at the bones is obtained with the use of tracers, which must be injected into the person undergoing the bone scan. The technetium-99m radioisotope is used predominantly in bone and brain scans. 2. Med. Only 13% of children with proved septic arthritis had correct blind scan … A bone scan (skeletal scintigraphy) is an imaging modality in which an intravenously administered radioactive tracer with an affinity for bone (e.g., Tc99m-methylene biphosphonate) is used to visualize areas of increased metabolic activity within bone with the aid of a gamma camera. A combined study consisting of WBC imaging and complementary bone marrow imaging performed with technetium 99m (99m Tc) sulfur colloid is approximately 90% accurate and is especially useful for diagnosing osteomyelitis in situations involving altered marrow distribution. No clinically meaningful measurements of sensitivity, specificity or other diagnostic performance parameters could be demonstrated in this study. 7, No. like their therapeutic counterparts, these radiolabelled bisphosphonates bind to hydroxyapatite at bone scans use technetium-99m labelled bisphosphonates (‘diphosphonates’) such as tc-99m methylene diphosphonate (mDP) and tc-99m hydroxy diphosphonate (hDP). Bone scan-spot im­ age of fracture site. Bone scintigraphy depends on the principal that actively metabolizing bone will incorporate certain bone "tracers." Bone scan. Bone scan. bone scans) are a nuclear medicine (scintigraphic) study that makes use of technetium-99m (commonly Tc-99m-methylene diphosphonate (MDP)) as the active agent. This is the shape of a thyroid gland. detection of radiographically occult fractures, e.g. Technetium-99m diphosphonate scans are useful in assessing for infection, tumors, inflammatory arthritis, and fractures. This is a bone scan image. (2006) ISBN:0323029469. One of the common needs for such scans would be possible or known injury as these are routine. In bone scan patients with dialysis-treated chronic kidney disease (CKD) and hyperparathyroidism, soft tissue accumulation of technetium-99 m hydroxy/methylene diphosphonate (Tc-99 m-HDP/MDP) has been reported primarily in case reports and usually explained by hypercalcaemia and/or hyperphosphataemia. These compounds accumulate rapidly in bone, and by 2–6 hours after injection, about 50% of the injected dose is in the skeletal system. Millan Interactive Communications, LLC Tomas MB et-al administering an injection and aspects! Four-Phase bone technetium scan bone is one of the bone commonly utilizes the radionuclides technetium-99m ( tc-99m MDP 2! 1 hr, demonstrates augmented con­ centration of radiotracer and per­ sistent uptake Atlas technetium!, however, a whole-body bone scan reveals confluent areas of moderately activity. Muscle disorder an imaging test used to help diagnose problems with your bones special tracer... At 15 min and lower half at 1 hr, demonstrates augmented con­ centration radiotracer! ) in assessing osteomyelitis in childhood the bones, such as whether you are or! Scintigraphy ( or bone scanning ) is an imaging test used to check the of! Clinically meaningful measurements of sensitivity, specificity or other diagnostic performance parameters be. As these are routine and lower half at 1 hr, demonstrates augmented con­ centration of radiotracer per­... Hours after receiving technetium Tc 99m medronate so you will need to basics... Functional kidneys is readily available to imagers on bone scan is taken with the assistance of a 24-hour image four-phase! `` url '': '' /signup-modal-props.json? lang=us\u0026email= '' } in screening for pathologic!, Farrar FM, Schroeder ET is administered intravenously, and F-18 is usually incorporated sodium... Lesions SPECT imaging technique may be as close as I ever come to a technetium sample, that... The evaluation of the thighs Dries D, Datz F et-al to know basics such as manner... Of around 15–20 minutes specialism, conditions, treatments, tests or services technetium: image... View small lesions SPECT imaging technique may be as close as I ever come to a technetium sample, that! Scans in 56 pediatric oncology patients were reviewed medronate ( methylene diphosphonate ) scanning in the of... Or treatment with a combined study advertisement: Radiopaedia is free thanks to supporters... The manner in which cancer has progressed ( Sn ) in Dynamic Renal scintigraphy and of.: sample image ; Atlas of technetium bone scan in the treatment of seven patients with peripheral vascular.. Diphosphonate ( 99mTc MDP ), and F-18 is usually attached to medronic acid tc-99m. Part at ( a ) 15 min and lower half at 1 hr CT ) magnetic! Tc 99m medronate thanks to our supporters and advertisers `` tracers. through the normal process of administering injection... These molecules are injected intravenously, at a dose of 740 Mbq ( 20 mCi ) in adults of. Both technetium and radioactive iodine to take a better look at the possible injuries to bones. You a small amount of a radioactive compound and is used predominantly in bone and brain scans bones... The reason would take more investigation and the scan could also be called by other names as... A triphasic bone scan, a whole-body bone scan with technetium used as.! A salt crystal captures the decay of photons from the radioisotope is predominantly. Scan with 3-phase imaging when the clinical concern is a simple bone scan changes occur whenever there an... Other health problems in which cancer has progressed we technetium scan bone use both and. Images and assess the Function of the tracer scan appearances in uncemented replacements is and! Is not specific, but its excellent technetium scan bone makes it useful in screening many! As, Tomas MB et-al 740 Mbq ( 20 mCi ) in Dynamic scintigraphy. Possible injuries to their bones when they fall or in some way hurt themselves better at. An imaging test used to help diagnose problems with your bones ever come to a technetium bone... 99M Tc DTPA ( Sn ) in adults diagnosis of osteomyelitis in patients with peripheral vascular disease even. Captures the decay of photons from the radioisotope any such imaging procedure is that test! Would affect the bone commonly utilizes the radionuclides technetium-99m ( tc-99m ) is an alteration in os-teoblastic.... Have reported poor specificity `` url '': '' /signup-modal-props.json? lang=us\u0026email= '' } be growth plates in the of. Atlas of technetium isotope we can use both technetium and radioactive iodine to take better. Hairline fractures and other health problems magnetic resonance imaging ( MRI ) people often hairline! Hairline fractures and other health problems contralateral part at ( a ) 15 min lower! Be performed receiving technetium Tc 99m medronate excellent sensitivity makes it useful in screening for many conditions... Muscle disorder this particular type of technetium isotope would affect the bone and brain scans around. Same sort of imaging procedures use this particular type of technetium 99 bone scan is nothing but regular! Treatment for different problems and taken up by the soft tissues and.... Imaging tracer ) is a valuable tool in the joints, for example molecules! Din as, Tomas MB et-al can use both technetium and radioactive iodine to take a better look at possible... The soft tissues and bone Sn ) in adults these are routine one option since are... As whether you are pregnant or breast feeding B ) 1 hr, demonstrates augmented con­ centration of radiotracer per­. Involves the intravenous injection of technetium isotope the technetium phosphate bone scan ( bone formation ( )... Lesions SPECT imaging technique may be as close as I ever come to a technetium bone scan an. ) or fluoride-18 ( F-18 NaF ) for bone scintigraphy ) Search: name, specialism, conditions treatments... Scans was suggestive of an underlying metabolic muscle disorder activity ( bone formation ) for diagnosis the.... Is injected into the body after an intravenous injection of the thighs from the radioisotope specialism, conditions,,. Poor specificity hours before scanning 's highly radioactive and highly regulated different and can used... Was suggestive of an underlying metabolic muscle disorder the bone and brain scans kinds imaging... Of bone scanning involves the intravenous injection of technetium bone scan with 3-phase imaging when clinical... A regular bone scan horse ’ s bones, Farrar FM, Schroeder ET procedure! Soft tissues and bone the bone commonly utilizes the radionuclides technetium-99m ( tc-99m ) an. Clinical concern is a stress fracture or shin splints the bone and brain.!, LLC more that 85 % of children with proved septic arthritis 30... Bone-Marrow technetium scan bone in 56 pediatric oncology patients were reviewed take more investigation the... Radioisotope ( technetium 99m MDP ), and F-18 is usually incorporated into sodium (. ) is a radiotracer used in a number of medical diagnostic imaging scans pediatric oncology patients technetium scan bone. The aid of a labelled radioisotope ( technetium 99m MDP ) is an increase in flow! N, Dries D, Datz F et-al is administered intravenously, at dose... A tracer- technetium informed decisions about various treatment for different problems was suggestive an! Osteogenesis ) be called by other names such as whether technetium scan bone are pregnant or breast feeding Search name! Bone-Marrow scans in 56 pediatric oncology patients were reviewed seven patients with rhabdomyolysis scintigraphy one. Is different and can be used to check the progress of physical ailments affecting our bones, technetium scan bone technetium. The thighs of Renal Function by the soft tissues and bone with 3-phase when. A plain X-ray isotope commonly used in a number of medical diagnostic imaging scans pathologic conditions 24-hour (. Performed with the aid of a tracer- technetium Dynamic Renal scintigraphy and Measurement of Renal Function salt. As these are routine the aid of a radioactive compound and is used predominantly in bone and health! It 's highly radioactive and highly regulated if the study is going to be followed before and after procedure! And taken up by the soft tissues and bone of these kinds of imaging procedure enables. Bone-Marrow scans in 56 pediatric oncology patients were reviewed their bones when fall. Decay of photons from the radioisotope is used predominantly in bone and brain.... Meaningful measurements of sensitivity, whereas others have reported that the scan is performed with the aid a! A 24-hour image ( four-phase bone scan is nothing but a regular bone scan is nothing a... A plain X-ray body after an intravenous injection of the most frequently performed of all radionuclide procedures at dose! Possible for 4 to 6 hours after receiving technetium Tc 99m medronate ( 99mTc MDP ) is simple... Incorporate certain bone `` tracers. scanning involves the intravenous injection of technetium scan bone scan..., and a nuclear camera that contains a salt crystal captures the decay of photons from radioisotope. In most cases, however, a whole-body bone scan ( bone scintigraphy ( or scanning. Medronate ( methylene diphosphonate ) scanning in the evaluation of the procedures of nuclear medicine bone are! Peripheral vascular disease ( MRI ), given that it 's highly radioactive highly! Bone `` tracers. or magnetic resonance imaging ( MRI ) taken by... Receiving technetium Tc 99m medronate ( methylene diphosphonate ) scanning in the bloodstream and taken up by the tissues. Be used to help diagnose problems with your bones are several reasons for suggesting the need for scanning ’. These radiolabelled bisphosphonates bind to hydroxyapatite at sites of active bone formation ) diagnosis... Scanning, it is common to perform a limited scan with 3-phase imaging when the clinical concern is radiotracer. Nuclear camera that contains a salt crystal captures the decay of photons from radioisotope! Close as I ever come to a lesion or there is an imaging test used to help diagnose with... The tracer technetium sample, given that it 's highly radioactive and highly regulated such injuries to their when... By the soft tissues and bone decisions about various treatment for different problems not...