Increased uptake can be seen in healing non-pathological fractures for weeks. The mechanism of uptake has been attributed in early stages to hematoma resorption and granulation tissue, and later to callous and new bone formation.

Mild to moderate isolated rib foci are often seen and can usually be attributed to traumatic injury. It can be difficult to distinguish this from osseous metastatic disease. The anterior rib ends and costo-vertebral junctions are common sites of increased uptake as a result of trauma or degenerative changes.

Linear uptake in the cranio-caudal direction is common in the sternum following surgery and it could last up to even 6 months.