Concierge imaging · London
Private bone scan in London, read by a nuclear medicine physician.
A whole-body scan that detects subtle bone activity long before it shows on X-ray — used for metastases, occult fractures, avascular necrosis and Paget’s disease. Read by a nuclear medicine physician.
Why patients choose us
- 01
We justify every scan
A bone scan uses a radiotracer, so we only recommend it when the clinical question genuinely needs functional bone imaging — and say when it doesn’t.
- 02
Nuclear medicine reads
Every study is reported by a consultant nuclear medicine physician, not a general radiologist reading the occasional bone scan.
- 03
Independent, and free
We are paid by no clinic, so the recommendation is impartial and costs you nothing.
Indicative pricing
What a private bone scan costs in London.
Indicative ranges across our partner centres. Send the details and we quote firm figures across two or three options, including SPECT-CT where clinically useful.
In short
A whole-body bone scan in our network: £650–£1,200, reported in 24–72 hours.
| Scan type | Indicative range | Typical duration | Report turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whole-body bone scan | £650–£1,200 | 3–4 hrs total | 24–72 hrs |
| Bone scan + SPECT | £850–£1,500 | 3–4 hrs | 3–5 days |
| Bone scan + SPECT-CT | £950–£1,700 | 3–4 hrs | 3–5 days |
| Three-phase bone scan | £750–£1,400 | 3–4 hrs | 24–72 hrs |
| Regional (limited) bone scan | £450–£850 | 2 hrs | 24–72 hrs |
| Follow-up / surveillance bone scan | £600–£1,100 | 3–4 hrs | 24–72 hrs |
Prices vary by centre, by whether SPECT or SPECT-CT is added, and by whether the study is targeted or whole-body. Three-phase protocols and complex prosthesis work sit at the top of the range. We come back with a firm quote within one working day.
The problem
X-rays are late. Bone scans are early.
A plain X-ray only changes once about a third of the bone mineral has been lost. A bone scan lights up metabolic change weeks — sometimes months — earlier. For metastases, occult fractures and infection, that head start often decides the plan.
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Suspected bone metastases
Whole-body imaging in a single sitting — the standard survey for skeletal spread.
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X-rays are normal, pain isn’t
Occult stress and scaphoid fractures often show on the bone scan before they show on film.
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A painful joint replacement
SPECT-CT bone scans help distinguish loosening from infection when other tests are equivocal.
The journey
From enquiry to report — what happens, in order.
One clinician from first message to signed report — typically within a few working days, isotope supply permitting.
Phase 1 · Before your scan
Concierge, off-stage for you
Phase 2 · On the day
~3–4 hours at the centre
Phase 3 · After
Concierge, back on
- 01
Before
You tell us what is going on
A short, confidential form. Symptoms, working diagnosis, oncologist or orthopaedic letter, prior imaging if you have it.
- 02
Before
We come back with a recommendation
Within one working day: which protocol (whole-body, SPECT-CT, three-phase), which centre, indicative price. If a bone scan isn’t the right test, we say so.
- 03
Before
We arrange the appointment
Bookings depend on isotope delivery windows, but we typically slot you within a few days. Insurer pre-authorisation handled.
- 04
On the day
Arrival, checks, injection
A short check on kidney function, pregnancy status and medication. The Tc-99m tracer is injected and you leave for 2–4 hours while it distributes to bone.
- 05
On the day
In the gamma camera
The scan itself is 30–60 minutes for whole-body, longer if SPECT-CT is added. You lie flat and the camera moves slowly overhead — open, quiet and undemanding.
- 06
On the day
Straight home, with a few rules
You can go home the same day. We ask you to drink plenty of water and keep some distance from young children and pregnant partners for around six hours as the tracer decays.
- 07
After
Report and next steps
Consultant nuclear medicine report in 24–72 hours for a standard study, 3–5 days when SPECT-CT is added. Routed same-day to your specialist where relevant.
Typical end-to-end: 24–72 hours. With SPECT-CT: 3–5 days.
What it shows
What a bone scan is genuinely best at.
A bone scan earns its place for specific skeletal questions — from cancer metastases to occult fracture and prosthesis workup. These are the ones we arrange most.
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Bone metastases
Highlights skeletal spread from prostate, breast, lung and other primaries long before an X-ray changes.
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Occult fracture
Picks up stress fractures and occult breaks — including scaphoid and hip — when plain films look normal.
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Avascular necrosis
Detects early avascular necrosis of the hip or knee at a stage MRI is still working out.
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Complex arthritis
Maps which joints are metabolically active in polyarticular pain — useful when the pattern is unclear.
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Paget’s disease
Shows the distribution and activity of Paget’s disease across the whole skeleton in a single study.
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Prosthesis complication
Helps distinguish loosening from infection around a hip or knee replacement, particularly with SPECT-CT.
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Osteomyelitis / infection
Localises bone infection — especially the diabetic foot and spine — often as a three-phase study.
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Red flag — see a GP
Severe unexplained bone pain, night pain, unintentional weight loss or a history of cancer — please see a GP the same week.
Bone scan types
Not all bone scans are the same.
The protocol — whole-body, SPECT-CT, three-phase, regional — defines what the study can actually answer.
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Whole-body bone scan
The standard protocol — anterior and posterior images of the entire skeleton, the workhorse for metastases and unexplained bone pain.
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SPECT-CT bone scan
Adds three-dimensional gamma imaging fused with a low-dose CT — the modern gold standard for pinpointing spinal, pelvic and foot findings.
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Three-phase bone scan
Blood-flow, blood-pool and delayed skeletal phases — used for suspected osteomyelitis, complex regional pain and prosthesis infection.
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Regional bone scan
A limited study focused on one area of the skeleton — hands, feet, hip — when the clinical question is narrow.
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Bone scan for suspected fracture
A targeted study for occult stress or scaphoid fractures when X-rays are unremarkable and MRI is unavailable or contraindicated.
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Paget’s disease follow-up
Repeat whole-body imaging to map activity and response to bisphosphonate treatment over time.
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Metastasis surveillance
Serial whole-body studies to monitor known skeletal disease in prostate, breast and other cancers.
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Prosthetic joint assessment
Bone scan or SPECT-CT to work up a painful hip or knee replacement — differentiating loosening, infection and heterotopic ossification.
Our vetted London network
A small panel of nuclear medicine centres, we picked them.
Nuclear medicine is a small world in London — we work with a handful of centres that meet our standard. Not listed publicly; introductions are made privately once we understand your case.
Selection criteria
How we choose every nuclear medicine centre in our network.
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CQC-registered nuclear medicine centres, with a current good or outstanding rating
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MHRA-licensed on-site or partner radiopharmacy for Tc-99m supply
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Reported by consultant nuclear medicine physicians, not occasional readers
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Modern gamma cameras with SPECT-CT capability where clinically needed
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Reports routed same day to your specialist where clinically relevant
Safety and eligibility
Radiotracer, hydration, and life on the day.
A bone scan is very safe when it is done properly. The rules — pregnancy, breastfeeding, hydration and close-contact — exist because they materially change what the scan can see, and how quickly the tracer clears.
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Radiation dose
A bone scan delivers a moderate radiation dose — around 4 mSv for a whole-body study, similar to 15–18 months of natural background radiation. We only recommend it when the clinical benefit clearly outweighs the dose.
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Tc-99m injection, then a wait
A small dose of technetium-99m MDP is injected into a vein. You then leave the department for 2–4 hours while the tracer localises to bone before imaging begins.
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Drink plenty of water afterwards
Drinking water and emptying your bladder frequently after the injection speeds tracer clearance, reduces background activity and lowers your total radiation dose.
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Pregnancy
Bone scans are avoided in pregnancy. Tell us and we will look at MRI or ultrasound alternatives.
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Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is briefly interrupted — usually for around 12 hours after a Tc-99m bone scan. We give you a written plan before the scan.
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Close contact after the scan
For around six hours we ask you to keep distance from young children and pregnant partners while the short-lived tracer decays.
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Metal hardware
Existing joint replacements, plates and screws don’t stop the scan, but can create artefact — a SPECT-CT protocol is often more useful in these cases.
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Recent barium studies
A recent barium enema or meal can interfere with abdominal and pelvic images. Tell us so we can time the scan appropriately.
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Kidney function
The tracer is cleared by the kidneys. A recent eGFR is checked if you have known renal impairment, so the images can be interpreted correctly.
Reading your report
A bone scan report can look intimidating. It isn’t.
However complex the study, a bone scan report keeps to the same four parts.
A quiet reminder
The report is written for your specialist, not for you — and that is normal.
If you would like us to talk you through it before your follow-up, just ask.
- 01 Header
Your details and the indication
Your details, the tracer used, and the clinical question — metastases, occult fracture, Paget’s disease or infection.
- 02 Technique
Isotope, activity and phases
Which radiopharmaceutical was used, the administered activity in MBq, and which imaging phases were acquired — blood-flow, blood-pool, delayed, SPECT-CT.
- 03 Findings
Skeleton, region by region
A structured description of uptake — location, pattern and, where SPECT-CT was performed, correlated anatomy and SUV where available.
- 04 Impression
The conclusion: read this first
The bottom line — metastatic pattern, likely benign explanation, or focal abnormality needing further work-up. Your specialist discusses it in context.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Cover depends on your policy and clinic; we confirm with your insurer before booking.
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about bone scans.
Quick answers on cost, referral, radiation, fasting, breastfeeding, SPECT and results.
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What does a bone scan show?
A bone scan shows how active your skeleton is metabolically. Areas of increased bone turnover — from metastases, fractures, infection, arthritis or Paget’s disease — light up long before a plain X-ray would change. It is a whole-body survey, unlike an X-ray that images one region.
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Bone scan vs MRI — which do I need?
MRI is better for detailed local anatomy, soft tissue and the marrow of a single region. A bone scan surveys the entire skeleton in one study and shows metabolic activity. They answer different questions — and for many oncology and orthopaedic problems we use them together.
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How much does a private bone scan cost in London?
A standard whole-body bone scan is typically £650–£1,200 in our network. Adding SPECT or SPECT-CT increases the cost, and specialist protocols like three-phase imaging sit at the top of the range. We confirm a firm figure within one working day.
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Do I need a referral?
Yes — a bone scan is arranged on the recommendation of a consultant, typically an oncologist, orthopaedic surgeon or rheumatologist. The dose and cost mean it should be clinically justified. If you don’t have a referral, we can arrange a fast-track private consultation.
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How much radiation is involved?
A whole-body bone scan is around 4 mSv, similar to 15–18 months of natural background radiation. Adding SPECT-CT adds a further small dose from the CT component. For metastasis assessment, occult fracture and Paget’s disease that trade-off is almost always justified.
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Do I need to fast?
No — you do not need to fast for a bone scan. You can eat and drink normally before the injection, and in fact drinking plenty of water afterwards is encouraged to help the tracer clear.
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Can I breastfeed after a bone scan?
Breastfeeding is usually interrupted for around 12 hours after a Tc-99m bone scan. Pump and discard during that window. We give you a written plan and confirm the exact interval on the day.
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When is SPECT or SPECT-CT added?
SPECT and SPECT-CT are added when a specific finding needs to be localised in three dimensions — spinal facet joints, foot and ankle pain, painful joint prostheses, and equivocal lesions on the standard whole-body images. Many modern centres now run SPECT-CT as their default for these questions.
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How long until I get the results?
A standard whole-body bone scan is typically reported in 24–72 hours. Studies with SPECT-CT take 3–5 days. Where the scan is for a suspected cancer, we route the report to your oncologist the same day it is signed.
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When should I see a GP first?
If you have severe unexplained bone pain, pain that wakes you at night, unintentional weight loss, or a personal history of cancer, please see a GP the same week. A bone scan is a diagnostic test, not a first-line assessment for undifferentiated symptoms.
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