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
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What to expect
Please review the following instructions for Nuclear Medicine exams.
- 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.
- 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.
- Renal Scans: Patients should be hydrated. Scanning time is 1-2 hours.
- 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.
- 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
. - Salivary Gland Scan: Do not eat or drink 2 hours prior to your exam. The test takes approximately 1 hour.
- Lung Scan (V/Q): No preparation is needed. The scan takes approximately 1 hour.
- Hepatobiliary Scans:
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.
RBC Liver Scan: No preparation is required. The scan takes approximately 3 hours.
Liver Sulfur Colloid: No preparation is required. The - Gallium Scans:
No preparation is required. There is an injection on first day and imaging may be done 24, 48 and 72 hours later. - Gastric-Emptying Study: Do not eat or drink after midnight prior to your test. The test takes approximately 2.5 hours.