Nuclear Medicine

What you Need to Know

Nuclear medicine involves the use of small amounts of radioactive materials (or tracers) to help diagnose a variety of diseases. It can be used to help determine the cause of a medical problem based on the function of the organ, tissue or bone and in this way differs greatly from an x-ray, ultrasound or other diagnostic tests as it determine the presence of diseases based on structural appearance.

F.A.Q

F.A.Q

-F.A.Q: What is nuclear medicine?

-F.A.Q: Are nuclear medicine procedures safe?

-F.A.Q: How long will the scan take?

-F.A.Q: How should I prepare for the scan?

-F.A.Q: What should I expect when having a Nuclear medicine scan?

-F.A.Q: After your scan

-F.A.Q: When will I get the results?

-F.A.Q: Can I bring a relative or friend with me?

-What is nuclear medicine?

Nuclear medicine involves the use of small amounts of radioactive materials (or tracers) to help diagnose a variety of diseases. It can be used to help determine the cause of a medical problem based on the function of the organ, tissue or bone and in this way differs greatly from an x-ray, ultrasound or other diagnostic tests as it determine the presence of diseases based on structural appearance.

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-Are nuclear medicine procedures safe?

Nuclear medicine procedures are very safe. You will only receive an extremely small amount of tracer, just enough to provide accurate diagnostic information. The amount of radiation in a nuclear medicine test is no more than you would receive from an x-ray.
If you are or think that you might be pregnant you should tell our team. You should also tell your doctor if you are breast feeding

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-How long will the scan take?

The imaging session or the time needed to obtain the pictures will vary depending upon the test. You will be advised of the approximate time for your particular scan when you are making your appointment

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-How should I prepare for the scan?

In general, there is no preparation required for a nuclear medicine scan. Certain examinations may require some slight preparation and on the occasion where it is required, you will be advised by our team when booking your appointment.
Please bring copies of any previous imaging with you to your appointment.

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-What should I expect when having a Nuclear medicine scan?

On your arrival for your nuclear medicine scan, you will firstly complete the registration process with our receptionist and also a short questionnaire. One of our team will then bring you to the examination room, ensure that you are comfortable and explain what is going to happen as part of the scan. There is usually no undressing required for the scan.

There are three parts to the nuclear medicine scan;

1. Tracer administration - Depending upon the area of the body being studied, a small amount of radioactive material will be introduced into your body either by injection, swallowing or inhalation. Different tracers are used to study different parts of the body.  For certain examinations, an amount of time may be needed (from a few hours to a few days) for the tracers to accumulate in the part of the body being studied, before the pictures can be taken – you will be advised of this in advance.


2. Taking the picture – The images are captured by a special camera called a Gamma Camera. You will be required to remain as still as possible. Any movement may distort the image results making it difficult to interpret and increase the possibility of having to re-do the test.


3. Analysing the image – Once they have been captured, the images will be analysed by a nuclear medicine physician.

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-After your scan

The radioactive tracer remains in your body for a short time and is cleansed from the body through natural bodily functions. Drinking plenty of fluids will help the tracer clear through your body more quickly. You can eat and drink as normal following the scan.

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-When will I get the results?

When the exam is finished, the nuclear medicine physician will review your images and will prepare a report. You will need to contact your own doctor directly who will explain the test results to you and discuss further procedures if any are required.

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-Can I bring a relative or friend with me?

Yes but for safety reasons, they will not normally be allowed into the examination room with you during your procedure.

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