Bone scan

This image arises from the interposition of the anatomical area under study between an ionizing radiation emitting source (X-rays) and a radiographic plate or a digital photographic record.

The simple radiological study is a fast, simple and safe test, widely used in the field of Medicine since it provides very valuable information for the doctor. It allows the diagnosis and monitoring of multiple pathologies such as bone fractures, calculi, hiatal hernia, among others; at the same time, it serves as a screening test or diagnostic suspicion of multiple local or systemic processes such as infectious, inflammatory and / or tumor processes that must be confirmed later with specific studies.

Depending on the anatomical area that you want to study, the X-ray can have different names, the most common are:

• Chest x-ray
• X-ray of the abdomen
• Pelvis x-ray
• Skull x-ray
• Sinus X-ray
• Spine x-ray
• Bone x-ray

How is the study done?

The radiological study is carried out in the radiology room of the medical center or hospital by a radiology technician. The patient must undress the anatomical area under study; In some cases, you will be provided with a gown to cover yourself; at the same time you should remove your personal items, especially jewelry and metal objects that can interfere with radiological images. The patient will remain standing or on a stretcher during the study, the radiology technician will indicate at all times the position to adopt during the study. The number of radiographs to be performed will depend on the anatomical area to be studied and the cause for which the study is carried out. The study usually lasts between 5 and 10 minutes.

Once the radiological images have been obtained and developed or digitized, they will be sent to the specialist in Radiology for their evaluation and for the issuance of a radiological report for the doctor who requested the study.

Preparation for the study.

The simple radiological study does not require prior preparation by the patient. The patient must undress the anatomical area under study and remove their personal items, especially jewelry and metal objects.

It feels ?

The simple radiological study is painless for the patient. Some positions during the study may be uncomfortable for the patient in the case, for example of wounds or bone fractures, among others. Radiology rooms must be kept at a certain temperature, generally below the temperature of other rooms.

Do you have any risks?

The simple radiological study, in general, does not imply a significant risk to health. The type of radiation as well as the dose used follows strict safety controls and in general the benefit obtained outweighs the minimal risks of the radiation itself. Ionizing radiation can favor the development of different tumor processes, the risk of radiation is a cumulative dose and has memory (that is, a greater risk at a greater number and quantity of doses), so the indication of unnecessary studies or the repetition of the same as far as possible.

The embryo, fetus, and children are more susceptible to radiation Therefore, in these cases, unnecessary studies should be avoided. A pregnant or suspected pregnant woman (including those with an IUD) should avoid the study as much as possible and should tell the radiology technician that she is pregnant before having an X-ray.

Contraindications

The doctor should be consulted before taking the X-ray in the case of:

• Pregnancy and breastfeeding
• Taking medication