Bone Scan

My urologist scheduled a Bone Scan for prostate cancer.  I am not familiar with a bone scan details and wonder if anyone knows if the bone scan equipment would interfere with a Pacemaker. I have a Boston Scientific two lead pacer.

 

Tony


6 Comments

Bone Scan

by Gemita - 2022-04-25 11:24:43

Hello Tony,  I am due for another bone scan for Osteoporosis on 9th May.  I have a dual chamber pacemaker, since 2018, and received a bone scan (CT Densitometry) in 2019 with no difficulties whatsoever.  

I would speak to the Radiology Department at your hospital for reassurance that you and your pacemaker will remain safe during the procedure.  They were certainly able to reassure me that there were no risks to my pacemaker in having a bone scan, although clearly there are different types of bone scans.  Mine did not require any injection of contrast agent whereas I suspect your scan might. I attach a link which gives helpful advice.

It seems to me that it is important that you have this investigation to know how best to treat your prostate cancer.  I wish you all the very best and hope that the bone scan result gives cause for optimism.  Good luck and try not to worry

https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/cancer-in-general/tests/bone-scan

Bone scan

by AgentX86 - 2022-04-25 12:03:20

A bone density scan (I assume thats what your doctor is talking about) is just an x-ray used to measure bone density.

AgentX86

by Gemita - 2022-04-25 12:26:24

My first bone density scan involved a CT Scan of the bones too.  Tony is no doubt getting a CT Scan of his bones to check for any cancer spread.  I don't think he is getting a bone density scan with X-rays

Dem bones

by Gotrhythm - 2022-04-25 13:30:16

I have had both.

Fear not, my friend. Neither will harm your pacemaker in the least.

Hope all is well.

Pacer and Lead compatible

by Figallegro - 2022-04-25 16:52:15

The Imaging department just checked my poacer and lead information. Both are compatable. Thanlks for the information and comments.

CT scan

by AgentX86 - 2022-04-25 18:18:23

Interestingly, I just had an unexpected CT scan today. (Nothing to do with my heart.) I've had many over the years. There is a rather high probability that those on an anticoagulant will get one sooner or later (or both).

CT scans are nothing. If contrast is needed, the barium crap tastes like lemonade and spoiled milk and, of course, an IV.

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