Nuclear Medicine Scan

A nuclear medicine scan uses a special camera and a small amount of radioactive material to create pictures of your organs (such as your heart, lungs, liver, and gallbladder) and bones. Nuclear medicine scans may be used to both diagnose and treat disease. Some types of nuclear medicine scan commonly used include:

• PET scan (Positron Emission Tomography)

• Bone scans

• SPECT (Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography)

• PET/CT scans (PET/Computerized Tomography)

How do I get ready for a nuclear medicine scan?

• Be sure to mention the medicines you take and ask if it’s OK to take them before your test.

• You will be given a tracer (radioactive material). It may be injected, swallowed, or inhaled. If injected, you will receive an IV (intravenous) line. Your scan may then be done right away, or you may need to wait a few hours or even days to allow the tracer to concentrate in the part of the body being studied. You may be scanned multiple times during one day depending on the type of nuclear scan you have.

• Your scan may take a few hours. Bring something you can do if you need to wait.

What happens during a nuclear medicine scan?

• You will lie on a narrow imaging table.

• A large camera is placed close to your body.

• Remain as still as you can while the camera takes the pictures. This will ensure the best images.

• The table or camera may be adjusted to take more pictures.

What happens after a nuclear medicine scan?

• Drink plenty of water to help clear the tracer from your body.

• Your doctor will discuss the test results with you during a follow-up visit or over the phone.

Your next appointment is: _________________