csontszcintigrápia

Csontszcintigráfia, also known as bone scintigraphy or bone scan, is a diagnostic imaging technique used in nuclear medicine to evaluate various conditions affecting the bones. This procedure involves the injection of a small amount of radioactive tracer, typically a technetium-99m labeled phosphate compound, into a vein. This tracer is absorbed by bone tissue, with higher concentrations accumulating in areas of increased metabolic activity or bone turnover.

Following the injection, a waiting period of several hours allows the tracer to distribute throughout the body and reach the bones. A special camera, called a gamma camera, then detects the radiation emitted by the tracer. This information is processed by a computer to create images that highlight areas of increased or decreased tracer uptake. Areas of increased uptake, appearing as "hot spots," can indicate conditions such as bone fractures, infections (osteomyelitis), arthritis, Paget's disease, or bone metastases from cancer. Conversely, "cold spots," where tracer uptake is diminished, may suggest areas of poor blood supply or dead bone tissue.

Csontszcintigráfia is a whole-body imaging technique, allowing for the assessment of the entire skeletal system in a single examination. It is particularly useful for detecting widespread bone disease that might not be apparent on plain X-rays. The procedure is generally safe, with minimal side effects, as the amount of radioactive material used is very small and quickly eliminated from the body. It plays a crucial role in the diagnosis, staging, and monitoring of various bone-related pathologies.