Nuclear Medicine scan usually involves a small injection of a special radioactive tracer followed by a series of images taken using a special scanner. The scanner usually moves around while you lie still on a special bench. Built into the same machine is also a CT scanner – occasionally you will need both types of scan at the same visit.
Nuclear Medicine scans provide information on various organs, including heart, brain, bones, lungs, thyroid, kidneys, blood system, stomach and bowel. Usually information is obtained about how the organs are functioning, helping your doctor decide on the best treatment. All ages from newborn babies to the elderly are scanned at BGH. Please see below for further information on some of the more common scan types. Further information regarding preparation and aftercare will be sent out with your appointment.
Other procedures undertaken in the Nuclear Medicine Department include breath tests for helping to diagnose and treat stomach ulcers, and radioactive Iodine therapy for Thyroid disease.
No children should attend with you for your N.M. scan.
If the patient is a child it is advisable that no other children or pregnant women attend with them for their examination. You will be able to stay with your child for their examination unless you are pregnant.
It is useful to bring small toys, books and snacks with you to amuse your child while waiting for their N.M. scan.
Occasionally cannulation is required for these tests and this is usually carried out on ward 15 our children’s ward within B.G.H. These tests sometimes also require an ultrasound scan.
The nearest baby changing facilities are located within the disabled toilet close to reception in the Radiology department.
Please note we ask all females over the age of 12 the date of their last period to comply with ionising radiation regulations. (IR(ME)R 2000/2006).
Please click here for further information from the British Nuclear Medicine Society
Bone Scan
What is a Bone Scan?
- This is a way of looking at the function of your bones, by measuring their ability to take up a small dose of radioactivity.
- It is used to look for injury, infection and bone destruction.
Preparation for the Scan
- There are no special preparations for a bone scan. You can eat drink and take any medication as normal.
- If you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant or breast feeding please tell the radiographer
Please avoid prolonged close contact with small children and babies for 24 hours after your scan
Is it safe for me to have a scan?
A small amount of radioactive tracer is injected before scanning. The risk is outweighed by the information that is gained by taking the scan. A doctor will have checked the request to make sure this is the optimal test before we contact you.
If you have any concerns or would like further information, please contact the Nuclear Medicine department.
The injection
A small amount of radioactivity will be injected into a vein in your arm.
You may have had a blood test in the past. This is much the same. The ‘pinprick’ of the needle may hurt a bit, but that is all.
We then have to wait for this to get into your bones, so you will be asked to wait 3-4 hours. During this time you can leave the department and eat and drink normally.
Your scan
- You will not have to get undressed, but will be asked to remove any metal objects like braces, jewellery and belts before you lie on the bed
- You will be asked to go to the toilet to empty your bladder
- The scans are taken by a special camera; this is not a tunnel, but may well come very close to you. There are sensors in the camera which stop the machines moving if they touch anything.
- The scans may look at all of you, or only the bones that your doctor is interested in – like your legs or arms
- You will not be left on your own – there will be someone immediately available.
- The scans usually take 30-45 minutes
Your results
Your scans will be looked at by a trained Radiologist, who will prepare a report and this will be sent to the doctor who requested your scan. The reason it is done this way is because your doctor will have all the results from other tests and will be able to tell you how the results of your scans affect your care.
Kidney Scan
What is a Kidney Scan?
The kidneys remove waste products from the blood stream and excrete these in the urine. There are two ways of looking at kidney function. The first looks at the way a small amount of radioactivity given into a vein is taken up by the kidneys. If it is important to measure individual kidney blood supply and drainage, the second method will be used. This needs an injection of a small quantity of radioactivity into a vein, while lying under the camera that takes the pictures. The excretion of the radioactivity through the kidney, into the bladder is imaged.
Preparation for the Scan
- There are no special preparations for a kidney scan. You can eat drink and take any medication as normal.
- If you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant or breast feeding please tell the radiographer.
- Please avoid prolonged close contact with small children and babies for 24 hours after your scan
Is it safe for me to have a scan?
A small amount of radioactive tracer is used to take the pictures. The risk is outweighed by the information that is gained by taking the scan. A doctor will have checked the request to make sure this is the optimal test before we contact you.
If you have any concerns or would like further information, please contact the person who is looking after you.
The injection
A small amount of radioactivity will be injected into a vein in your arm.
You may have had a blood test in the past. This is much the same. The ‘pinprick’ of the needle may hurt a bit, but that is all.
We then have to wait for this to get into your kidneys, so you will be asked to wait 2-4 hours, depending on what type of kidney scan you are having. You will be asked to drink fluids to encourage your kidneys to work. During this time you can leave the department and eat and drink normally.
Your scan
- You will not have to get undressed, but will be asked to remove any metal objects like braces, jewellery and belts before you lie on the bed.
- You will be asked to go to the toilet to empty your bladder.
- The scans are taken by a special camera; this is not a tunnel, but may well come very close to you. There are sensors in the camera which stop the machines moving if they touch anything.
- You will not be left on your own – there will be someone immediately available.
- The scans usually take about 30 minutes
Your Results
Your scans will be looked at by a trained Radiologist, who will prepare the report and this will be sent to the doctor who requested your scan. The reason it is done this way is because your doctor will have all the results from other tests and will be able to tell you how the results of your scans affect your care.
Lung scan
This involves injecting a small amount of radioactivity into a vein in your arm. This then goes into the blood stream and gives a picture of the blood supply to your lungs.
Preparations for the scan
- There are no special preparations for a lung scan. You can eat drink and take any medication as normal.
- If you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant or breast feeding please tell the technician.
- Please avoid prolonged close contact with small children and babies for 24 hours after your scan.
Is it safe for me to have a scan?
A small amount of radioactive tracer is used to take the pictures. The risk is outweighed by the information that is gained by taking the scan. A doctor will have checked the request to make sure this is the optimal test before we contact you.
You may have had a blood test in the past. This is much the same. The ‘pinprick’ of the needle may hurt a bit, but that is all.
If you have any concerns or would like further information, please talk to the person looking after you.
These pictures are taken with a Gamma camera and you will be asked to lie under or sit in front of the camera.
Your results
Your scans will be looked at by a trained Radiologist, who will prepare a report and this will be sent to the doctor who requested your scan. The reason it is done this way is because your doctor will have all the results from other tests and will be able to tell you how the results of your scans affect your care.
DatScan (Brain)
What is a Datscan?
This scan gives the doctor a picture with valuable information about the function and structure of the brain. It can help diagnose Parkinson’s Disease and certain types of dementia.
Preparation for the Scan
Some of your medication may need to be discontinued in preparation for the scan. If you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant or are breast feeding please tell the radiographer before you have your injection as in some cases we may postpone the scan or give special instructions with regard to breastfeeding.
Is it safe for me to have a scan?
The amount of radioactive tracer used to take the pictures is very small and the radioactivity is short-lived. The risk is outweighed by the benefit from the information that is gained by taking the scan. A doctor will have checked the request to make sure this is the optimal test before we contact you.
If you have any concerns or would like further information, please contact the person looking after you.
The injection
A small amount of radioactivity will be injected into a vein in your arm or hand. You may have had a blood test in the past. This is much the same. The ‘pinprick’ of the needle may hurt a bit, but that is all.
We then have to wait for this to get into your brain, so you will be asked to wait 3-5 hours. During this time you can leave the department if you wish.
Your scan
- A technician will ask you to swallow some small tablets in preparation for the scan.
- These tablets will not make you feel any different.
- You will not have to get undressed, but will be asked to remove any metal objects like braces, jewellery and belts before you lie on the bed.
- You will be asked to lie flat on a couch.
- The scans are taken by a special machine called a gamma camera; this is not a tunnel, but it will come close to you. There are sensors in the camera which stop it moving if it touches anything so it cannot hurt you.
- You will not be left on your own – there will be someone immediately available.
- The scans usually take 30-45 minutes and it is very important that you keep still. Please tell the technician if you think you will find this difficult for any reason.
After the scan
You may eat, drink and go anywhere you wish. Please avoid spending a long time in close contact with young children or pregnant women for 24 hours
Your results
A report on the scan will be sent to the doctor who requested it. The reason it is done this way is because your doctor will have all the results from other tests and will be able to tell you how the results of your scans affect your care.
Other types of scans
Most other types of Nuclear Medicine scans are variations on the above, depending on what part of the body we are looking at. You will receive further information with your appointment letter.
Further detailed information is available by clicking on the links below:
For any further information or questions regarding these services please contact the department on: 01896 826417 or alternatively complete our online contact form.