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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). |
