What is a nuclear medicine scan?
Nuclear Medicine procedures use radiopharmaceuticals to diagnose and treat diseases. More simply, radiopharmaceuticals are “tracers” (a chemical) that contain a small amount of radioactivity .This tracer is usually given to you by an injection, however, some tests require you to swallow or inhale the tracer.
The tracer is used in small amounts. There are no commonly documented side effects from any Nuclear Medicine procedures. These tracers are different to the contrast used when having a CT scan.
The various radioactive tracers used emit gamma rays (a type of radiation similar to an x ray). A gamma camera is then used to detect the gamma rays as it is distributed to the targeted organs or areas of the body.
What preparation is required?
Some nuclear medicine procedures require preparation. Qscan staff will inform you of the required preparation for your procedure at the time of booking.
Please inform us if you are a diabetic and have been instructed to fast so we can make your booking for early in the day.
How long will the test take?
There are many different nuclear medicine scans & procedures. Some tests take as little as 30minutes, some require several appointments over 6 hours, others require a 30minute visit for 5 days.
The commonly performed nuclear medicine bone scan and myocardial perfusion stress test requires a visit in the morning, followed by another visit several hours later in the day.
More often than not, you are free to leave the department between appointments.
Qscan staff will give you an approximate duration of your procedure at the time of booking.
What is the radiation dose?
The radioactive tracers that we use begin to disappear as soon as they are administered. Most are undetectable within 24-48 hours. The total radiation dose to the body is approximately the same as having a CT scan.
What if I am pregnant or breast feeding?
Most nuclear medicine studies should not be performed during pregnancy.
In serious cases, where the benefits of a diagnosis outweigh the risks of a disease, urgent scans may be modified for pregnant women to reduce the radiation dose to the fetus, to an absolute minimum. Such an example would be performing a VQ lung scan to diagnose a potential Pulmonary Embolism.
Most radiotracers are passed through breast milk. If you are breastfeeding, please notify our technical staff, who will advise you of any necessary precautions. These precautions usually involve expressing and discarding breastmilk for 24-28hrs after your scan
Why am I having a nuclear medicine test?
Nuclear Medicine tests are very sensitive, often showing up abnormalities before an x-ray or ultrasound would.
They are used to assess the physiology or function of targeted parts of your body. Other types of tests do not necessarily provide this information. An organs structure may look quite normal under x-ray or ultrasound but may not be functioning normally.
What will happen after the test?
An expert Qscan Radiologist/ Nuclear Physician will check the images produced from the test before you leave. A report will be written and forwarded to your Doctor along with the images. Your Doctor will discuss the results with you at a follow up appointment. Your Doctor should have the results within a few days.
If you are seeing your Doctor immediately after your test, you may wait and take your films with you. It will usually take 60 minutes to be ready. The report will be forwarded to your Doctor.
Where do I have my nuclear medicine test?
Your nuclear medicine test will be performed at the Windsor Homezone, Mater Private Clinic or Annerley Qscan practices.
It is important that you bring any previous scans and x-rays with you to your appointment.
Where can I find further information?
If you would like to know more about nuclear medicine, Qscan technical staff can be contacted through reception.
Feel free to discuss any questions or concerns about having a nuclear medicine test with the Qscan staff or your doctor.
Who is involved in my nuclear medicine scan?
Qscan Radiology Clinics is staffed by world-class radiologists, nuclear medicine physicians and technical staff.
Qscan is fortunate to be staffed by outstanding nuclear medicine scientists, all of whom are accredited and have undergone extensive training.
One of the Qscan radiologists will view the images produced from the test and provide a report for your referring doctor.
Nuclear Medicine is the medical speciality which provides diagnostic and therapeutic applications with the use of radiopharmaceuticals and radiochemicals.
A nuclear medicine physician completes a medical degree followed by at least two years in general clinical training and then a five year specialist training program.