Bone scan

Bone scan

Once the diagnosis has been established, if metastatic spread is suspected (on the basis of a high PSA [>10 /uni00A0 ng/mL], locally /uni00A0 advanced disease or presence of Gleason 7 or higher) - a bone scan should be carried out. If, however, the PSA is <10 /uni00A0 ng/mL, then a bone scan would be performed only on clinical indications. The bone scan is performed by the injection of technetium-99m, which is then monitored using a gamma camera. It is more sensitive in the diagnosis of - metastases ( Figure 84.20 ) than a skeletal survey , but false positives occur in areas of arthritis, osteomyelitis or a healing fracture.