Nuclear Medicine

Nuclear Medicine is a diagnostic imaging specialty that assesses the condition of organ systems or body functions. During the exam, a small amount of a radioactive tracer (called a radiopharmaceutical) is given to the patient and specialized cameras are used to take images of your body.

Appointments and Referrals

We now accept eReferrals from Primary Care!  Find us on the OCEAN Health Map.

Ocean eReferral Sign up

If you are a primary care provider and want to sign up for OCEAN eReferral, complete the online quick form or email @email.

We are here to support you. You may reach us at 416-469-6401 (the main Diagnostic Imaging line) from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

If you require assistance outside of regular business hours, you may choose one of the following options:

• Leave a voice mail message at 416-469-6401
• Send us an email at @email

What to expect

Please review the following instructions for Nuclear Medicine exams.

1. Bone Scans: No preparation is necessary. Please note that it is a long, two-stage exam with a total duration of 3 to 4 hours. Please plan for this accordingly.
2. Nuclear Cardiology or Cardiolite exams: Please do not consume any caffeine for 24 hours prior to your exam. Please note that it is a long exam with a wait interval between the two exam stages. Total exam duration is 4 to 5 hours. Please plan for this accordingly.
3. Renal Scans: Patients should be hydrated. Scanning time is 1-2 hours.
4. Thyroid Scan: Duration for a thyroid scan is 30 minutes on the first day followed by 1 hour on the second day. Stop Thyroxine 5 weeks prior to your scan and Cytomel 3 weeks prior to your exam. Please confirm this with your doctor. No intravenous contrast material (CT, IVP, or angiogram dye) 5 weeks prior to testing.
5. Parathyroid Scans: No preparation is required for your scan. The scan is done in two parts: an injection and scan and then delayed imaging which you must return for 2.5 hours later.
6. Salivary Gland Scan: Do not eat or drink 2 hours prior to your exam. The test takes approximately 1 hour.
7. Lung Scan (V/Q): No preparation is needed. The scan takes approximately 1 hour.
8. Hepatobiliary Scans:
   1. Biliary scan (HIDA): Do not eat or drink 4 hours prior to scan. The scan takes approximately 1.5 hours with possible delayed imaging up to 4 hours later.
   2. RBC Liver Scan: No preparation is required. The scan takes approximately 3 hours.
   3. Liver Sulfur Colloid: No preparation is required. The test takes approximately 1 hour.
9. Gallium Scans: No preparation is required. There is an injection on first day and imaging may be done 24, 48 and 72 hours later.
10. Gastric-Emptying Study: Do not eat or drink after midnight prior to your test. The test takes approximately 2.5 hours.