skeletal survey


skel·e·tal sur·vey

radiographic examination of all or selected parts of the skeleton, as for occult fractures, metastases, etc.

skeletal survey

The radiologic examination of the entire skeleton, or just the axial skeleton and large bones. 
Indications
Suspected child abuse; detection of myeloma or bone metastases from prostate and breast cancers. For detecting metastatic malignancy, skeletal surveys have been supplanted by radionuclide imaging of the skeleton (bone scans and PET-CT), which detect lesions months earlier than do plain films.

skeletal survey

Metastatic series Imaging The radiologic examination of the entire skeleton Indications Suspected child abuse, detection of bone metastases from 1º CA–eg, prostate, breast CA. See Bone scan.