Bones
A bone scan is a diagnostic procedure used to detect problems in the bones such as fractures, tumors and diseases. The process involves injecting a tracer, a tiny amount of radioactive material that collects in problem areas in the bones, and converting the radiation information into an image.
Safety
Bone scans are a routine procedure performed all over the world. It is considered a safe procedure.
Side Effects
While rare, the most common side effects are the result of an allergic reaction to the radioactive tracer. The side effects can include chills, fever, rashes, headache, nausea and rapid heart-rate.
Allergic Risk Factors
Those who are most likely to have an adverse, allergic reaction to the radioactive tracer are those with existing allergies or sensitivities to food (shellfish, preservatives), latex, contrast dyes and other medications.
Pregnancy and Breast-Feeding
Pregnant women are discouraged from bone scans because the risks to the fetus from radiation exposure are greater than for an adult. Some of the radioactive materials used in bone scans may pass into breast milk and require the discontinuation of breast-feeding for a time.
Comparison
To place the amount of radiation exposure in context, Drugs.com notes that the exposure from a normal dose of radioactive materials used for a bone scan is approximately the same as receiving an X-ray.
Tags: allergic reaction, allergic reaction radioactive, bone scan, bone scans, materials used, materials used bone
