Department of Diagnostic Imaging
Location: Suite 026
Director: Kurt Meehan, R.T.
Appointments: 216-382-2853
Hours: Monday - Friday: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
General Description
What to Expect
How to Prepare
About the Department of Diagnostic Imaging
Registration Form
Notice of Privacy Practices and Patient Rights
General Description
A Bone Scan uses a special camera that takes pictures of abnormalities in the bones after a small amount of a radioactive substance makes them visible. (The level of radioactivity is extremely low and has no side effects.) The scan is used to evaluate any degenerative and/or arthritic changes in the joints, to detect bone diseases and tumors, and to determine the cause of bone pain or inflammation. A Bone Scan may be done on the whole body or just a part of it.
What to Expect
The Bone Scan will be completed in two steps. You will be given an intravenous (IV) injection of a radioactive substance that will travel through your bloodstream and collect in your bones. After the injection, you will be asked to return in approximately three hours to complete the scan. At that time, the technologist will perform the Bone Scan, which will take about one hour. During the scan, you will lie on your back on a padded table with a camera positioned closely above you. The camera will slowly move down the entire length of your body. Your doctor will receive a written report approximately 48 hours after the scan.
- There are no dietary restrictions or limits on your activity before or after the scan.
- Continue to take any medications you normally would, unless your physician has instructed otherwise.
- Immediately following the injection of the radioactive tracer, you will be required to drink 48 - 64 oz. of liquid.
- Please arrive 10 minutes before your appointment and bring the requisition provided by your physician.