What is the difference between a Bone Scan and a PET Scan?

A bone scan is a process whereby nuclear scanning is used to examine the internal bone structure of the body. A PET scan can be referred to as the Positron Emission Topography scan. This is a process that uses a special kind of camera and tracer to examine deep inside the body, the organs with other internal structures. The bone scans place more focus majorly on the growth of the bone and the development of diseases within the bones. The PET scan, on the other hand, places more focus on other parts of the body organs, such as the brain and the heart.

In addition, a radioactive nuclear tracer is used in bone scan in such a way that it is inserted through an IV which eventually spread through the body and make some captures when attached to the bones. For PET scan, glucose is used as a tracer. When undergoing a bone scan, it is required to take about four to six glasses of water; while a PET scan does not require any intake of fluid.

A bone scan is a study which surveys the body’s internal bone composition. This study is done with a CT scanner or computerized tomography, using a minimal amount of contrast material. A PET or positron emission tomography scanner is a specially fabricated piece of equipment which is shaped like a doughnut. Radioactive tracer dye is used to aid in the study. The PET scans the subject’s body for their organ performance and disease that may not display on regular radiology studies.

The PET is used for staging for cancer treatment, and detection of tumors in all areas of the body. A bone scan focuses only on the bones in the whole human body. This test can be accomplished in one hour or less, while a PET scan takes from one to three hours. A bone scan concentrates on determining bone growth and development of diseases in the bones, while a PET scan focuses on all areas of the body such as the heart and brain.

Nowadays, nuclear scanning is used to look inside of the body at its different parts, including the bones. If someone gets a bone scan, then nuclear scanning is being used in order to see the person’s bones. This can let the doctor know if the patient’s bones are growing or maybe they are brittle. There are also PET scans which stand for Positron Emission Topography.

Nuclear scanning is not used in PET scans like they are used with Bone Scans. A certain type of camera is used designated for this specific purpose. PET scans also don’t look at the bones. They are looking at the organs in the body. This may include but not limited to the heart and the brain.