Bone Scan

A Bone Scan is a test to see what your child’s bones look like and how they are working.

Preparation

Your child can eat and drink as usual. If your child needs General Anesthesia (to sleep), separate instructions will be given to you.

The scan has two parts and takes up to four hours. The first part takes pictures of how the blood flows to the bones and the second part observes how the bones are working. One parent must be present with the child. Siblings are not allowed in the room during the test. Eating and drinking is not allowed in the room.

What to expect

Part 1

Your child will need Intravenous (IV) access for this procedure. An IV is a needle that is most often inserted into a vein in the arm or back of the hand. An injection with a small amount of radioactive medicine will be given through the IV. This medicine mixes with the blood and allows us to take pictures of the blood flowing to your child’s bones.

Your child will lie down on a narrow bed and a seat belt will be placed across their body for safety and to help them remain still while pictures are taken. Your child should not feel any discomfort during the scan and can choose to be distracted (for example, watch a movie).

We need to wait 3 hours before we can begin the second part of the test. Your child can leave the department after the first part of the test is done and you will be told when to return for the second part. If your child does not require General Anesthesia, they will be asked to drink extra fluids during the break.

Part 2

The second part of the test will take about 1 hour to complete.

Your child will be asked to go pee or have a diaper change before starting the second part of the test. Your child will then lie down on a narrow bed and a seat belt will go across their across their body for safety and to help them remain still while pictures are taken.

These pictures will allow us to see what your child’s bones look like and how they are working. Your child should not feel any discomfort during the scan and can choose to be distracted (for example, watch a movie).

Post-test

It is important to give your child extra fluids for the rest of the day to keep them hydrated and help the medicine leave the body quicker.

The scan results are given by a doctor specialized in Nuclear Medicine and not by the technologist doing the test. A report is sent to your doctor’s office, usually within 2-3 business days.

Please call the Nuclear Medicine Department at 416-813-6065 if you have any questions about the procedure or if you need to change the appointment.