Which test is used to detect metastatic disease of the bone?

A bone scan is specifically designed to detect metastatic disease in bones. This imaging test uses a small amount of radioactive material that is attracted to areas of high bone activity, which are often indicative of metastatic disease. The scan reveals "hot spots" where the radioactive tracer accumulates, indicating areas of bone remodeling that may be due to metastatic lesions.

Bone scans are particularly sensitive in identifying metastases from various cancers, such as breast, prostate, and lung cancer, where bone involvement is a common complication. This test can visualize the entire skeletal system in one session, making it efficient for identifying multiple lesions across the body.

While CT scans and MRI can also be useful in evaluating bone metastases and provide detailed images of structures, they are not as sensitive as bone scans for detecting early bone metastases. Ultrasound is generally not used for this purpose as it does not provide adequate imaging of the bone structure itself or deep tissues.