Introduction
Nuclear Medicine scans are very useful to diagnose abnormalities
of the heart, bone, gallbladder, lungs, thyroid and other major
organs. These scans look at the way organs function, as opposed
to most x-rays which examine the body's structure.
These scans involve injecting, swallowing or inhaling very small
amounts of radioactive drugs called radiopharmaceuticals. The
radiopharmaceutical selected for your scan is dependent on the
organ being imaged. As the radiopharmaceutical travels
to the area being examined, a special camera detects the photons
released by this radioactive material and maps its distribution.
These nuclear medicine cameras are connected
to computers that process this information and then produce pictures
for the radiologist to interpret.
Within one-to-two days, all traces of the radiopharmaceutical
disappear from the body. These procedures are safe and painless,
and the amount of radiation from a nuclear medicine exam is comparable
to that of an x-ray.
Finally, there are no common side effects in
nuclear medicine, and you will not feel dizzy, nauseous, sleepy
or hot.
Preparing for Your Nuclear Medicine Exam
Most nuclear medicine exams require no preparation. But
if one is needed, your physician will inform you before your exam.
You will not need to stop taking most medications before your
exam, but your physician may advise you to stop taking medications
that may affect the exam. If you need pain medications, you may
continue taking them.
We will ask you to remove metal objects like
belt buckles, coins and keys. A technologist will discuss your
procedure with you, answer your questions and take other needed
information.
Your Nuclear Medicine Exam
In the gamma camera room, you will lie on a table where
a technologist will administer the radiopharmaceutical-most often
by injection- into an arm vein. Depending upon your procedure,
you may be under the camera during the injection. For most exams,
you must wait for the radioactive material to accumulate in the
organ being imaged and waiting times vary from none to several
hours. If waiting time permits, you may walk around or even leave
the hospital.
During Your Exam
You will lie on a comfortable imaging table with the
camera above and/or below you. It may move very slowly around
you or remain stationary depending upon your particular exam.
You will be able to speak to the technologist at any time and
if you wish, a friend or family member may remain with you in
the imaging room. You will be asked to remain perfectly still
for several minutes at a time while the image is recorded. Occasionally,
you may be asked to stay motionless for up to 15 minutes.
After
Your Exam
After your exam, you will be asked to wait 10 to 15 minutes
while the scans are filmed and shown to the radiologist. As soon
as the scans have been reviewed for clarity, you may go home.
If more scans are needed, they will be taken at this time. Unless
advised otherwise by your physician, you may resume your normal
diet and activities immediately.
Types of Nuclear Medicine Exams
Bone scans: Used to detect arthritis,
fractures, sports injuries, infections, tumors and causes of unexplained
bone pain.
Bone-Indium Scan: Uses patient's
own white blood cells to look for areas of infected bone.
H.I.D.A (Gallbladder) Scan: Used to see how
well the gallbladder is functioning.
Myocardial Perfusion scan (Heart Stress
Test): Used to look for signs of heart disease and to
see how well the heart is functioning.
Renal Imaging: Used to look for areas of blockage
in the urinary tract and to see how well the kidneys are functioning.
Thyroid Scan: Used to look for over or under
function of the gland and to evaluate nodules (lumps).
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