Diagnostic Procedures for Bone Disorders

What are diagnostic procedures for bone disorders?
Diagnostic procedures for bone disorders may include any or all of the following:

• complete medical history
• physical examination
• laboratory tests for blood, urine, and other body fluids
• x-ray
• computed tomography (CT or CAT) scan
  

  CT is a type of x-ray image that produces cross-sectional views of specific parts of the body. The x-ray beam rotates around the patient, who has been injected with a special dye to help the area of the body reflect the x-ray beam. Information is sent to a computer, which produces the image on a computer screen. A CT scan provides information about bone, muscle and fat. It is also used to assist the physician in locating the exact area for a biopsy.

• magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan
  

  MRI is a scanning procedure that uses radio waves and a magnet to produce cross-sectional views of specific parts of the body. The radio waves and the magnet do not contain radiation. A computer receives and translates the radio waves into detailed images of the area of the body under study. MRI scans provide detailed information about soft tissue, the bone marrow cavity, and bone tumors.

• bone densitometry
  

  Bone densitometry is a noninvasive evaluation procedure that uses x-rays to measure bone mass, or the weight of the skeleton. The amount of bone in the skeleton determines how strong it is. Bone densitometry is often used to measure bone mass in the spine, hips, and arms -- because these are the areas most likely to fracture when bone mass is low. Bone densitometry is not used to provide a diagnosis, but is used in combination with other procedures, along with personal and family medical history, to provide information toward or to support a diagnosis.

• radionuclide bone scan
  

  Technetium-99, a radioactive material, is used in a radionuclide bone scan. The tumor absorbs the material, and a special camera is used to produce an image using a computer. The bone scan is used to pinpoint the location of the bone tumor, as well as to detect the spread into other organs.

• biopsy
  

  Biopsy is a procedure in which a sample of tissue is removed and sent to the pathology laboratory to be examined by a pathologist. There are two types of biopsy:

  • needle biopsy uses a hollow needle to draw the tissue from the tumor.
  • open biopsy is a surgical procedure in which an incision is made through the skin to expose the tumor and allow a sample of tissue to be cut or scraped away.