Bone Scan Clinical Indications

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to bone scans and their clinical indications.

Metastatic disease

Spread of cancer cells from a primary tumor to other parts of the body, commonly affecting bones.

Whole body bone scan

A diagnostic imaging technique to assess the entire skeleton for abnormalities.

Osteosarcoma

A primary malignant bone tumor that produces immature bone, often occurring in teenagers and young adults.

Ewing’s sarcoma

An aggressive bone tumor of neuroectodermal origin affecting children and adolescents, characterized by diffuse uptake on scans.

Chondrosarcoma

A cartilage-producing malignant tumor usually affecting adults, known for its heterogeneous uptake on scans.

Rhabdomyolysis

Skeletal muscle breakdown releasing myoglobin into blood, potentially causing kidney damage.

Shin splint

An overuse injury causing periosteal inflammation along the tibia, common in runners.

Complex regional pain syndrome

A condition causing abnormal sympathetic nervous system response after injury, resulting in chronic pain.

Stress fracture

A small, incomplete fracture caused by repetitive stress on normal bone, often seen in athletes.

Occult fracture

A fracture not visible on plain radiographs but detected with a bone scan.

Cellulitis

A bacterial infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissues, often seen in the lower legs.

Osteomyelitis

An infection of bone or bone marrow, typically due to bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus.

Prosthesis loosening

Mechanical failure of fixation between bone and a prosthetic implant, indicating loosening over time.

Paget’s disease

A chronic disorder characterized by abnormal bone remodeling with excessive turnover and bright uptake on scans.

Sickle cell disease

An inherited hemoglobin disorder leading to vaso-occlusion and bone infarction.

Hyperparathyroidism

Excess production of parathyroid hormone resulting in increased bone resorption and metabolic bone disease.

Osteoporosis

Loss of bone density due to decreased bone formation or increased resorption, prevalent in postmenopausal women.

Avascular necrosis

Loss of blood supply to bone, resulting in necrosis, frequently affecting the femoral head.

Bone graft viability

Assessment of bone graft perfusion and incorporation to determine if the grafted bone is alive and healing.