Nuclear Medicine

A nuclear medicine scan uses a special camera to create pictures of your organs (such as your heart, lungs, liver, and gallbladder) and bones. This test uses a small amount of radioactive material and a special camera.

How to prepare for your nuclear medicine scan

Before your nuclear medicine scan

Be sure to mention the medications you take and ask if it’s okay to take them before your test. You will be given a tracer (radioactive material). It may be injected, swallowed, or inhaled. 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. Your scan may take a few hours. Bring something you can do if you need to wait.

During your 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.

After your nuclear medicine scan

The radiation that you are exposed to during a nuclear medicine procedure is equal to or less than a standard X-ray or CT scan covering the same body area. The radiopharmaceutical administered during the exam will be eliminated naturally from your system. Drink plenty of water to help clear the tracer from your body. You do not need to avoid contact with other people during this time.

Click here for more information on nuclear medicine scans.