Another Bone scan question

Question

I saw your recent answer to a bone scan question.  I recently had a bone scan.  When my onc got the results, he phoned me and sent me to a radiation onc.  The radiation onc showed me the films.  The areas of "concern" showed up as bright white areas, kind of like little stars or suns.  The kidney area did show up dark.  The radiation onc said these were bone mets.  (I have previously been diagnosed with liver mets.)  A previous bone scan done in January 2002 did not show these little bright white spots, but it did show a somewhat darkened area on my skull which was larger on this last bone scan.  So now, I'm confused.  If mets are supposed to show as dark areas, why did mine not appear like this?  I have developed pains which would be consistent with bone mets.  Thanks.

CCF-RN,MSN-JS · Answer

Dear shantimari, The bone scan should be interpreted by a radiologist, some of the variations in color or how disease shows up may be according to the setting preferences of the place where it is being done. Without actually seeing the film and what was pointed out as an abnormality, it's hard to say for sure.  Were the star like areas pointed out as the abnormalities?  Sometimes starlike areas are artifact on a film and do not represent abnormalities.

shantimari · Answer

I forgot to mention that were quite a few of these bright white areas, several on the spine, on the upper leg, etc.  Thanks.

Another Bone scan question

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