General Nuclear Medicine

Description:
Nuclear Medicine scanners obtain images after a small amount of radioactive tracer has been absorbed in the body. The tracer is administered either orally or through an injection or intravenous tube. A special gamma camera detects the distribution of the tracer in your body, and specialized images of this metabolic activity enable the radiologist to study the function of tissues, in addition to its anatomy.

What To Expect During a Nuclear Medicine Scan: 

A Nuclear Medicine scan takes from 30 minutes to one hour. Sometimes there is a delay of two to three hours between the tracer administration and your scan. The gamma camera is a large disk-shaped piece of equipment that is positioned as close to the body as possible. Depending on the type of scan prescribed, you may be sitting, standing, or lying down during the procedure.

Patient Preparations for a Nuclear Medicine Scan:

 Some of the more common types of nuclear scans are listed below. For all scans please bring a list of all medications, dosage, and how often taken.  For those types of scans not listed, you will be given specific instructions when you schedule your exam.

• Bone Scans — Following the administration of the tracer, you will be required to drink one quart of fluid during a two to four hour period while you wait for it to be absorbed in your body.
• Thyroid Scans — These scans typically require that you fast for eight hours prior to the test. No seafood should be eaten for three days prior to the study. Patients must stop taking all thyroid medications and any other medications containing iodine for two to four weeks prior to the test. This should be coordinated and supervised by your referring physician.
• Liver Scans — Nothing by mouth, including water, for eight hours prior to the scan.
• Lung Scans — No preparations are required for this type of scan.
• Renal Scans — Certain anti-hypertension medications must be stopped for two days under the supervision and care of your referring physician.
• Gallium Scans - These scans requires a longer waiting period for the tracer to be absorbed by the body. you will recieve an injection, and then, depending on the individual case, be asked to return 24, 48, or 72 hours later to be scanned.
  

*Cleansing enema/ laxative the morning during the test

*Cleansing enema/ laxative the morning during the test