Cave Creek Equine Surgical and Diagnostic Imaging Center
Nuclear Scintigraphy
Nuclear Scintigraphy
Nuclear Scintigraphy shows changes in the metabolic activity of soft tissue and bone. It uses a radioactive marker that is injected intravenously into the horse and images are obtained using a gamma camera. Areas of increased metabolic activity appear as hot spots on the images. Nuclear scintigraphy, also referred to as a bone scan, is able to detect problem areas that may not be apparent on radiographs or ultrasound. It can assist in diagnosis of horses with multiple lameness concerns. Bone scans do not replace other diagnostic tools, rather it provides additional information to facilitate a diagnosis.
Nuclear Scintigraphy shows changes in the metabolic activity of soft tissue and bone. It uses a radioactive marker that is injected intravenously into the horse and images are obtained using a gamma camera. Areas of increased metabolic activity appear as hot spots on the images. Nuclear scintigraphy, also referred to as a bone scan, is able to detect problem areas that may not be apparent on radiographs or ultrasound. It can assist in diagnosis of horses with multiple lameness concerns. Bone scans do not replace other diagnostic tools, rather it provides additional information to facilitate a diagnosis.
Nuclear Scan Images of the neck and withers area. The different colors represent different levels of the isotope that has bonded to the bone. 'Hot' areas represent bone with a high rate of turnover which can indicate bone inflammation.