Best investigation for the detection of bone metastases
Best investigation for the detection of bone metastases is?
A. X-ray
B. CT Scan
C. MRI
D. Bone scan
Correct answer : D. Bone scan
Best investigation for the detection of bone metastases
- Radioisotope bone scan is the preferred method for the detection of bone metastases
- It is more sensitive than radiography for the detection of most metastases
- Technetium-99m is the commonly used radioisotope
- It accumulates in reactive new bone that is formed in the metastases resulting in a ‘hot spot‘ in the scan
- The amount of accumulation depends on the level of blood flow
- In some cases, ‘cold spots‘ are also noted due to the absence of bone formation within the lesion
- The results from a bone scan are not specific as the tracer can accumulate in other areas with increased bone formation such as sites of fracture healing / infection
- So a bone scan should be followed by other radiological modalities such as CT scan to confirm the lesion
Ref: Radiological imaging for the diagnosis of bone metastases, L. D. Rybak, D. I. Rosenthal, The Quarterly Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, 2001;45:53-64
