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09 February 2012

Answer to Question #4220 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"

Category: Nuclear Medicine Patient Issues — Diagnostic Nuclear Medicine

The following question was answered by an expert in the appropriate field:

What are the health risks of a nuclear bone scan and the probabilities of experiencing these risks?

After more than 30 years in nuclear medicine and nuclear pharmacy, I never saw an adverse reaction from a bone scan. There have been some reports of some, but they are exceedingly rare. Under "Adverse Reactions" in the Bracco package insert for its bone scan agent (^99mTc Medronate), it says the following.

"Several adverse reactions due to MDP-Bracco have been reported. These were usually hypersensitivity reactions characterized by itching, various skin rashes, hypotension, chills, nausea, and vomiting. There have also been rare cases of dizziness and asthenia associated with the use of technetium Tc 99m medronate."

The radiation absorbed doses are very low, that is, 0.13 rads total body dose per 20 millicurie administered activity, and are not associated with any known risk.

Carol S. Marcus, PhD, MD

Answer posted on 8 March 2005. The information and material posted on this website is intended as general reference information only. Specific facts and circumstances may alter the concepts and applications of materials and information described herein. The information provided is not a substitute for professional advice and should not be relied upon in the absence of such professional advice specific to whatever facts and circumstances are presented in any given situation. Answers are correct at the time they are posted on the Website. Be advised that over time, some requirements could change, new data could be made available, or Internet links could change. For answers that have been posted for several months or longer, please check the current status of the posted information prior to using the responses for specific applications.