What to expect when undergoing this test
A skeletal survey is a series ofX-rayswhich includes the entire skeleton.
Skeletal surveys may be ordered for a variety of reasons in children and in adults.
In general, they are used to identify focal or widespread abnormalities of the skeleton.
Verywell / Nusha Ashjaee
Skeletal surveys are often used in adults with suspectedmultiple myelomato look for bone involvement.
Be careful not to confuse a skeletal survey with bone scintigraphy or bone scan.
Whole-bodyCT,MRI, andPET/CTare sensitive tests for the detection of bone involvement by certain types of cancer.
Cost and availability of an imaging modality may also factor into the decision.
Feel free to ask your healthcare provider why one diagnostic test was chosen over another.
Risks and Contraindications
Any imaging study which uses X-rays involves radiation exposure.
A complete skeletal survey may require around 20 X-rays, and is associated with a moderate radiation dose.
Overall, there is a low risk of adverse health effects related to radiation exposure from one skeletal survey.
Certain populations, such as children and pregnant women, are more radiation-sensitive and require special caution.
This information will help determine prognosis and guide treatment.
Often, this happens in the emergency department when a child presents with a traumatic injury.
Timing
Allot at least an hour for the test.
A typical skeletal survey consists of about 20 individual X-rays (radiographs) of the body.
Obtaining the radiographs will take about 25 to 40 minutes.
You will also need time to check in and change into a gown.
After the test is done, you will be able to go home.
The images will be sent to a radiologist or other healthcare provider for interpretation.
The results are often available within one or two business days.
What to Wear
You will likely be asked to change into a gown.
Be sure to wear comfortable clothes that are easy to change into and out of.
Food and Drink
Typically, there are no specific dietary or fasting requirements before a skeletal survey.
You may eat and take your routine medications.
If in doubt, ask the staff when you schedule the procedure.
No oral or intravenous contrast material (dye) is required for the skeletal survey.
After this, you will be led to the X-ray suite by a radiology technologist.
Be sure to alert the staff if you may be pregnant.
You will most likely be asked to change into a hospital gown.
Since the skeletal survey requires head-to-toe radiographs, street clothes may interfere with the images.
Skeletal surveys do not require any specific prep work.
No oral or intravenous contrast (dye) is used.
You will not need an intravenous (IV) catheter.
Depending on the institution, X-rays of the hands and feet will also be obtained.
X-rays can be performed with the patient standing up or lying down.
Radiographs of the extremities are usually performed by placing the extremity on a horizontal X-ray table.
There are no specific precautions to take afterward, and you may resume normal activities immediately.
He or she will communicate the results in the form of a written report.
Typically, results take no longer than one or two business days to become available.
Contact your healthcare provider (the one who ordered the test) for results.
Often, web-based portals are available which allow you to directly access your radiology report.
Multiple myeloma causes characteristic bone abnormalities which may be called lytic lesions, lucent lesions, or punched-out lesions.
Fractures in certain locations are sometimes indicative of non-accidental trauma.
Multiple fractures of different ages strongly suggest ongoing abuse.
Skeletal survey is used to evaluate for bone disease in patients with multiple myeloma.
Your healthcare provider may opt to perform more advanced imaging if an initial skeletal survey was negative.
The follow-up schedule will depend on your specifictreatment protocol.
Ask your healthcare provider for details.
Sometimes, subtle fractures may become more conspicuous over time, and may be detected in the follow-up study.
A Word From Verywell
Information from the skeletal survey forms part of a larger whole.
As always, it is important to maintain open communication with your healthcare providers.
Do not hesitate to ask why treatment decisions are made, and what factors contributed to any given decision.
You should always feel free to ask for a second opinion about the results of any imaging study.
You may request that your radiology images and report be copied for evaluation by healthcare providers at another institution.
Prepare for a Diagnostic X-Ray.
ACR-SPR Practice Parameter for the Performance and Interpretation of Skeletal Surveys in Children.
American College of Radiology.
Kim JR, Yoon HM, Jung AY, Cho YA, Seo JJ, Lee JS.
2019;9(1).
doi:10.1038/s41598-018-36501-1
Rajkumar, S. Vincent, Clinical Features, Laboratory Manifestations, and Diagnosis of multiple myeloma.
