Bone Survey
Definition
A bone survey is an x ray to check the health and status of a person's bones. It is an important tool for diagnosing the presence of multiple myeloma lesions in bone.
Purpose
The bone survey is the standard method for determining if there is bone involvement in multiple myeloma. Multiple myeloma lesions may not show up in other bone studies. However, if the lesions are present, they are likely to appear on a bone survey, making this an important diagnostic tool.
In patients who have been treated for multiple myeloma, bone surveys should be repeated to see if the disease has responded to treatment, or if it has progressed further. While the repeated bone survey may show that bone healing has occurred, this is not usually the case. Only 30% of patients whose multiple myeloma is responding to treatment show an improvement on their bone surveys. Multiple myeloma patients whose disease is progressing, or who have new areas of bone pain, can benefit from repeat bone surveys because this procedure can locate sites of potential fractures that may then be prevented by radiation or surgery.
Precautions
The dose of radiation in diagnostic x rays is very small, and this procedure is considered relatively safe. However, x rays are generally not advised for pregnant women. These women should inform their physician or the x-ray technician of their pregnancy (or suspected pregnancy) prior to the procedure.
Description
A bone survey in people with multiple myeloma includes x rays of the skull, spine, pelvis, and long bones of the legs and arms because the disease may spread to these particular areas. The procedure may be done in the radiology department of a hospital (for inpatients or out-patients) or in an imaging facility.
Patients may be given a hospital gown and asked to remove clothing that could interfere with the image, such as buttons or snaps. A lead shield for protection from radiation may be placed over the parts of the body that are not undergoing an x ray.
An x ray creates a two dimensional (flat) image shown on film. Since the human body is three-dimensional, at least two different angles of the same area will be x-rayed. The radiology technician helps the patient achieve the proper position. Most imaging centers have special tables that help position the patient.
When the patient is properly positioned, the technician will leave the room to activate the x-ray machine. It is important that the patient remain completely still while the x ray is being taken. The x ray does not cause any pain or other sensation, and gives off no smell, sound, or taste, although it is penetrating the body. The patient may hear a sound, but this is the equipment and not the x ray itself.
The x ray creates shadows on film, and the film is viewed by a physician (radiologist) who specializes in imaging studies. The film will have contrasts that appear as varying shades of gray.
