Skeletal scintigraphy, also known as a bone scan, is a nuclear medicine imaging technique used to detect abnormalities in bones. It involves injecting radioactive tracers that accumulate in bones and are then detected by a gamma camera. Bone scans can identify cancer metastases, fractures, infections and other bone diseases. The procedure involves injecting tracers intravenously, imaging after 2-4 hours, and producing whole body images to evaluate the entire skeletal system. Bone scans provide functional information about bone that can detect issues not seen on x-rays.

2. SKELETAL SCINTIGRAPHY
Presented by :Dr. Madeeha
Jabeen(MID,UOL)

3. Skeletal scintigraphy

4. INTRODUCTION
• A technique used in nuclear medicine in which
bone specific agents (phosphates) are injected
intravenously and followed with the help of
gamma camera to detect their
metabolism(functional imaging) which alters with
the diseased states of bone. Methylene
diphosphonate (MDP) and hydroxymethylene
diphosphonate (HMDP) are the most commonly
used agents; both agents resist in vivo hydrolysis
by alkaline phosphatase.

5. Bone scan
• A bone scan (skeletal scintigraphy) is a special
type of nuclear medicine procedure that uses
small amounts of radioactive material to
diagnose and assess the severity of ,a variety
of bone diseases and conditions, including
fractures, infection, and cancer.

6. INDICATIONS
• • Detection of metastases
• • Staging of malignancies
• • Detection of osteomyelitis
• • Detection of radio graphically occult
fractures
• • Determine multiplicity of lesions (e.g.,
fibrous dysplasia, Paget disease)
• • Diagnosis of reflex sympathetic dystrophy

7. Equipment
• Special gamma camera
• Single-photon emission-computed tomography
(SPECT) imaging techniques.

8. TECHNIQUE
• 1. Inject 740 MBq 99m Techentium
Methylene Di Phosphonate Intravenously.
• 2. Take image 2 to 4 hours later.
• 3. May have to wait longer before imaging
patients with renal insufficiency to allow for
soft tissue clearance
• 4. Have patient urinate immediately before
imaging to decrease bladder activity.

9. Two image acquisition formats:
• Whole-body single pass (lower resolution)
• Spot views (longer time of acquisition, better
resolution).

10. AREAS OF NORMAL UPTAKE
Adults
• Locally increased activity may be a normal
variant:
• Patchy uptake in the skull may be normal.
• Common location for degenerative changes
(usually at both sides of a joint)
• Sternoclavicular joint, manubriosternal joint
• Lower cervical and lumbar spine (usually at
concavity of scoliosis)

11. • Knees, ankles,wrists,1st carpometacarpal
joint,Tendon insertions Regions of constant
stress Geometric overlap of bones (ribs)
• Normal,secondary uptake of the label:
Nasopharynx , Kidneys, Soft tissues.

12. • Anterior (left) and posterior (right) whole-
body bone scintigrams obtained in an adult
Findings Normal symmetric uptake in both
shoulders,sternoclavicular joints, areas of
overlapping of bones such as ribs and iliac
blades, nasopharynx, kidneys and urinary
bladder.

13. Older patients
• The older the patient, the higher the
proportion of poor quality scans.

14. Findings that are always abnormal:
• Strikingly asymmetrical changes
• Very hot spots Findings Extensive osseous
metastases from lung carcinoma.
• Anterior (left) and posterior (right) whole-
body bone scintigrams show multiple,
randomly distributed foci of abnormal
radiotracer uptake.
• The foci vary in size and intensity.

15. Procedure
• A nuclear medicine technologist will perform
the skeletal scintigraphy procedure.
• You will lie on an exam table. If necessary, a
nurse or technologist will insert an intravenous
(IV) catheter into a vein in your hand or arm.

16. • The technologist will administer the
radiopharmaceutical into a vein in your hand or
arm.
• It takes a few hours, usually two to four hours, for
the radiotracer to circulate through your body and
bind to your bones so that the pictures can be
taken.
• During this time, you'll be asked to drink four to
six glasses of water to remove any unnecessary
radiotracer from your body that does not travel to
the bones.

17. • You will also be asked to empty your bladder
before the scan begins to prevent any tracer in
the urine from blocking the view of your
pelvic bones during the scan.
• When imaging begins, the camera or scanner
will take a series of images.

18. What will patient experience during
and after the procedure?
• Patient will feel a slight pin prick when the technologist
inserts the needle into your vein for the intravenous
line. Patient may feel a cold sensation moving up your
arm during the radiotracer injection. Generally, there
are no other side effects.
• The bone scan itself is usually painless and is rarely
associated with significant discomfort or side effects.
No anesthesia is needed for skeletal scintigraphy, and
sedation is rarely necessary. The test may be
uncomfortable if you are having joint or bone pain. Try
to relax by breathing slowly and deeply.

19. • The small amount of radiotracer in your body will
lose its radioactivity over time through the natural
process of radioactive decay. It may also pass out
of your body through your urine or stool during
the first few hours or days after the test. Drink
plenty of water to help flush the material out of
your body.
• The amount of radiation is so small that it is not a
risk for people to come in contact with you after
the test.

21. Benefits
• 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.

22. • Nuclear medicine exams provide unique
information that is often unattainable using
other imaging procedures. This information
may include details on the function and
anatomy of body structures.

23. Risks
• Allergic reactions to radiotracers are extremely
rare and usually mild.
• The radiotracer injection may cause slight pain
and redness. This should rapidly resolve.
• The radiotracer can be transmitted to the baby
through breast milk.

24. Limitations
• Bone scans cannot identify some types of
cancer.
• Nuclear medicine procedures can be time
consuming. It can take several hours to days
for the radiotracer to accumulate in the area of
interest.
• The image resolution of nuclear medicine
images may not be as high as that of CT or
MRI.