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Diagnostic Testing
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Nuclear Imaging:
Nuclear Medicine, Bone Scan, Cardiac Stress Test Imaging
(Radiology) Procedures What is the
test? There are many
nuclear imaging procedures used to identify abnormalities in every major organ
system within the body. The major difference between nuclear medicine and many
other radiological imaging techniques is that nuclear imaging provides
information on how the organ functions while it is at work. How do I
prepare? Your preparation
depends on the specific nuclear study you are having performed. Most nuclear
imaging procedures require no specific preparation, while others do. When you
schedule your appointment, you will receive a brochure that tells you what to
do prior to your particular test. Please plan to arrive at the Imaging Services
Department 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment. Be sure to alert the
radiologist if you have any medicine or food allergies. Please be sure to
notify the Imaging Services Department if you are pregnant or nursing. What can I
expect during the procedure? Nuclear medicine
uses radioactive materials to capture images of the body system or organ being
studied. These materials are designed to be uniquely attracted to specific
tissues, organs, or bones in the body. At the beginning of your nuclear study,
a small amount of radiopharmaceutical will be introduced into your body. In
most cases, this will be via intravenous injection. Imaging will be performed
immediately, or within six hours of injection. (In special studies, additional
imaging may be performed for up to the next three days.) As the
radiopharmaceutical travels through your system, a special camera (called a
Gamma camera) detects the material and creates an image of the organ or system
in motion, while it is functioning. Nuclear imaging is safe and involves little
or no discomfort for most people. The amount of radiation in a nuclear imaging
procedure is comparable to that of a regular x-ray. After the test? After your exam,
you may resume your normal activities as directed by your physician, unless the
radiologist gives you specific instructions to follow at home. Information
on Specific Nuclear Medicine tests ● Gastric empty ● Nothing to eat or drink after midnight before the test ● When you arrive you will have 5 minutes to ingest an oatmeal mixture. ● Scan time is about 2 hours. ● Please bring with you a list of medications you are taking. ● GI Bleed ● No
special prep for this test, but prior to imaging study ask your doctor about
gastric indigestion meds you may be taking. ● Upon arrival, you will be administered an intravenous injection of a
radioactive material. ● Scan time is 1.5 to 2.5 hours. ● HIDA Scan ● Nothing to eat or drink for at least 3 hours before the test. ● Upon arrival, you will be administered an intravenous injection of a
radioactive material. ● Scan time is about 2 hours but may vary (1 to 4 hours). ● Lung
Scan ● You
must have a chest x-ray taken within 24 hours before your scan. ● The
first part of the scan consists of breathing a radioactive gas. ● The
second part consists of a radioactive injection. ● Scan time is 30 to 45 minutes. ● MUGA Scan ● Upon arrival, you will be administered an intravenous injection of
pyrophosphate. ● After a 20-minute wait, you will receive an injection of radioactive tracer. ● Scan time is about 90 minutes. ● Renal Scan ● Upon arrival, you will be administered an intravenous injection of a
radioactive material. ● Scan time is 45 to 60 minutes. ● Please bring with you a list of medications you are taking. ● Renal Scan with Lasix ● If
you are taking lasix, please ask your doctor if you
should discontinue the medication. ● Upon arrival, you will be administered an intravenous injection of a
radioactive material. ● Scan time is about 90 minutes. ● Thyroid Scan ● Please ask your doctor if you should continue or discontinue any thyroid medications
before the scan. ● Upon arrival, you will be administered an intravenous injection of a
radioactive material. ● Scan time is about 40 minutes. Please
bring with you a list of medications you are taking. ● Thyroid Uptake Scan ● Nothing to eat or drink after midnight before the test. ● Please bring with you a list of medications you are
taking. ● You will be given a capsule to ingest. You should
return in 6 hours. ● When you return, you will have a 3-minute uptake test. ● 24 hours later, you will return for part two of the
uptake test. ● No thyroid medications should be taken before your
test. Please call Nuclear Medicine in Imaging Services at 274-4270 to learn
when you should discontinue your medications. Nuclear Cardiac Testing ● Cardiac Rest Test ● Nothing to eat or drink for 4 hours before the test. ● You
will receive an injection and then wait for 30 minutes. ● Scan time is 20 to 30 minutes. ● Cardiac Stress Test ● No
caffeine 24 hours prior to the test. ● Nothing to eat or drink after midnight before the test. ● Bring with you a list of medications you are taking. ● Ask
your doctor what medicines you may and may not take. ● Wear comfortable clothing. ● You
will exercise on a treadmill and receive an injection through an IV. ● If
you are unable to exercise, pharmacologic stress will be performed. ● Scans will be taken after the stress test. ● Total testing time is 2 to 3 hours. What is the
test? This test
examines the activity of cells within your bones and skeletal system. How do I
prepare? Depending on the
area to be scanned, you may be asked to observe specific dietary restrictions.
Please consult with your phhsician. If you have any
medicine or food allergies, please be sure to let the radiologist know ahead of
time. It's best to leave jewelry at home. What can I
expect during the procedure?
You will make
two appointments for the same day: the first is for an injection, and the
second is for the scan itself. One to two hours before the actual bone scan is
performed, a tiny amount of radioactive material will be introduced into your
body by means of an intravenous injection. You will be asked to drink 16 ounces
of water to help move the fluid through your system. You may empty your bladder
as often as you like and you may eat and drink. When an appropriate amount of
time has passed (one-and-a-half to two hours) you will lie very still on a
special table while the scanner slowly passes over your body. The scan takes
30-45 minutes and is painless. You may be asked to change position on the
table, enabling the technologist to take additional images. After the test?
You should
experience no after effects or discomfort from the bone scan. Return to your
normal activities and diet. What is the
test? A nuclear
cardiac stress test shows if your heart muscle is receiving adequate blood
supply under stress and during rest. It is used to evaluate coronary disease. How do I prepare? Once you have
been referred by your physician, you may pre-register by phone one or two days
prior to your test by calling the medical center at 274-4353. Avoid caffeine
for 24 hours before your test, and don't eat or drink anything after midnight
the night before. Please bring all of your medications, in their prescription
bottles, to the medical center on the morning of the test. Wear walking shoes
and a comfortable two-piece outfit, and plan to be at the medical center for
three to four hours. Because there are waiting periods, you may want to bring
something to read. Be sure to let the technologist know if you are diabetic,
have chronic lung disease, suffer from knee or hip problems, or have had a stroke.
Also alert the technologist to any drug or food allergies you have. What can I
expect during the procedure?
Cardiac nuclear
medicine uses radioactive materials to capture images of the heart functioning.
To get the heart muscle working hard, you may be asked to exercise on a
treadmill for several minutes. When you cannot exercise any more, a tiny amount
of tracer will be introduced into your body through an intravenous (IV) line in
your arm. You will then be asked to lie very still for up to 30 minutes. As the
tracer travels through your heart, a special camera (called a Gamma camera)
detects the material and captures images of the blood flow in your heart
muscle. Physical
exercise is the preferred method of evaluating cardiac performance, but not all
patients are able to perform the amount of exercise to achieve a valid study. If
you are unable to exercise you will be given a pharmacological stress test. After the test?
Most people can
resume their normal activities after the test is completed. Talk with your
doctor about when to take any medication you were asked to skip before the
test. How and
when will I get my test results? Typically,
within 48 hours a written report of your test results will be sent to your
referring physician, who will review them with you. Additional time (3 to 5
days) may be required if we are comparing these test results to previous
findings from another hospital or health-care provider. Where is
this test performed? Nuclear Medicine
Imaging studies are performed only at Cayuga Medical Center at 101 Dates Drive,
off NYS Route 96 in Ithaca. About our
Imaging Services Cayuga Medical
Center has a commitment to and reputation for staying abreast of changing
technology and our imaging equipment is state-of-the-art. Our range of services
is comprehensive and we offer all imaging modalities found in major medical
centers. Radiologists are on site at all three of our locations, which also
distinguishes the level of service we provide. Imaging Services
is staffed by five board-certified radiologists, many of whom are
subspecialists in areas such as neuroradiology, abdominal CT, and
interventional procedures. Assisting them are experienced radiologic
technologists, many of whom have completed advanced training and are certified
in specialty modalities. |
