Techniques that may use magnetic fields or radiation, often in combination with computers, to record and display images of bone structure. Bone imaging can reveal elements that are important to a complete diagnosis and are not provided by physical examination or laboratory tests. Bone imaging includes conventional X rays; CT scanning (computed tomography scanning), which sends many X-ray beams from different directions through the area to be observed; and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), which uses a magnetic field in combination with radio waves to create signals analyzed by a computer to construct an image.
Various techniques are employed to obtain visual representations depicting the structure or functionality of bones. X-ray images are commonly utilized for the diagnosis of fractures and injuries. For more comprehensive insights, tomography, CT scanning, or MRI techniques are employed, which offer detailed information regarding tumors, infections, and the impact of diseased bone on the surrounding tissues. Radionuclide scanning is capable of detecting areas within the skeletal system exhibiting heightened bone-cell activity. This type of scanning is primarily employed to determine the potential spread of cancer to the bones.