Skeletal Radiography A plain film x-ray of the entire body can identify<unk> , however, the sclerotic or osteolytic lesions must be at least 1 cm in diameter. A combination of X-ray, CT and MRI scans provides optimal structural information of the<unk> . Radionuclide Bone Scan A radionuclide bone scan or scintigraphy can also identify<unk> . Technetium-99m–labeled bisphosphonate, attaches to calcium at sites of active bone formation. Bone scans are more sensitive and can identify lesions earlier than plain radiographs. But, it cannot identify purely osteolytic lesions and it will also highlight other areas of bone formation like those caused by trauma or inflammation. Additionally, some lesions can be missed in the pelvis due to bladder activity. CT Scan A CT scan can detect<unk>  before becoming symptomatic in patients diagnosed with tumors with risk of spread to the bones. Even sclerotic<unk>  are generally less radiodense than enostoses, and it has been suggested that<unk>  should be the favored diagnosis between the two for bone lesions lower than a cutoff of 1060 Hounsfield units (HU). If a biopsy is indicated, a CT scan is important for localizing the prospective sample tissue. MRI Unlike diagnostics noted above, an MRI does not need to look for changes in the bone for signs of tumor activity. Instead, it can directly identify cancerous tissue infiltration into the bone. MRIs are good for evaluating bone marrow infiltration and are more sensitive for detecting early spine<unk> . PET Scan Positron emission tomography (PET) with fluorine 18–labeled fluorodeoxyglucose ( 18 F-FDG) are the best diagnostic tool for visualizing the function and activity of<unk> .<unk>  are usually multiple, irregularly distributed foci of increased tracer uptake without relationship to a single anatomic structure. They directly identify tumor cells with significant metabolic rate. PET scans, however, are not regularly used to due high cost and relatively limited accessibility. Bone Markers Due to the high rate of bone turnover, metabolites are theorized to be capable of detecting<unk> . Use of bone markers for detection and screening is an active field of research, though radiographic evidence remains the gold standard. Once the diagnosis of<unk>  has been established though, bone markers can provide useful prognostic information.
Bone metastasis
Bone tumor
Bone sarcoma
Osteomyelitis
Osteoma
Osteopetrosis
Bone cyst
Tumoral calcinosis