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Nuclear Medicine

What is Nuclear Medicine?

Nuclear medicine is a subdivision of medical imaging that uses a small amount of radioactive material in the form of a tracer to assess the physiology or function of targeted areas of your body. Tracers are radiopharmaceuticals, and are different from the contrast used during a CT scan.

Nuclear medicine is commonly used to diagnose, treat, or determine the severity of many diseases, including many types of cancers, heart disease, gastrointestinal, endocrine, neurological disorders, and other abnormalities within the body.

Nuclear medicine tests are very sensitive, as they can pinpoint molecular activity within the body. This means they can identify diseases at an earlier stage – they can detect evidence of abnormalities before they show up on an x-ray or ultrasound. They are also used to monitor a patient’s immediate response to therapeutic interventions in real-time.

Do I need to prepare for my Nuclear Medicine procedure?

Some nuclear medicine procedures require special preparation. Qscan staff will inform you of the required preparation for your procedure at the time of booking. Please inform us if you are diabetic and have been instructed to fast so we can make your booking for early in the day.

Most nuclear medicine studies should not be performed during pregnancy. In serious cases, where the benefits of a diagnosis outweigh the risks of disease, urgent scans may be modified for pregnant women to ensure the foetus is exposed to the least amount of radiation possible.

What happens during a Nuclear Medicine procedure?

Depending on the type of nuclear medicine exam, a tracer is either injected, swallowed, or inhaled as a gas, before eventually accumulating in the organ or area of the body being examined. Tracers used for nuclear medicine procedures emit gamma rays, a type of radiation similar to an x-ray.

Radioactive emissions from the tracer are detected by a gamma camera or imaging device that produces pictures and provides molecular information.

Are there any risks associated with Nuclear Medicine?

Nuclear medicine imaging procedures are non-invasive and, apart from intravenous injections, are usually painless. No common side effects have been documented from any nuclear medicine procedures.

Tracers used for nuclear medicine disappear as soon as they are administered, and most are undetectable within 24-48 hours. The total radiation dose to the body is approximately the same as having a CT scan.

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 24-48 hours after your scan.

How long will my Nuclear Medicine procedure take?

There are many different nuclear medicine scans and procedures. Some tests take as little as 30 minutes, some require several appointments over 6 hours, and others require a daily 30-minute visit for 5 consecutive days.

The more commonly performed types of nuclear medicine scans, including bone scans and myocardial perfusion stress (MPS) tests, require a visit in the morning, followed by another visit several hours later in the day. You will usually be allowed to leave the department between appointments. Qscan staff will give you an approximate duration of your procedure at the time of booking.

How much will my Nuclear Medicine procedure cost?

Our customer service team will be able to advise you of all costs involved with your nuclear medicine scan, which will depend on the type of study being performed.

Following your scan, your report and images will be sent electronically to your doctor.

Bone Mineral Densitometry

What is a bone mineral densitometry scan?

A bone mineral densitometry (BMD) scan uses low-energy x-rays to measure bone density, which is calculated by how much calcium and other types of minerals are present in your bone. It is used to diagnose osteoporosis and assess fracture risk. BMD scans can detect osteopenia, a precursor to osteoporosis, and can also be used to monitor the efficacy of osteoporosis treatment.

Your doctor may refer you for a BMD scan for many reasons, including if you:

  • Have acquired a medical condition that may weaken your bones
  • Are taking medication that may affect your bones’ ability to rebuild properly
  • Have lost at least 3.8cm in height, as this may indicate a compression fracture in your spine
  • Have had a drop in hormone levels
  • Have suffered a recent fracture in an injury or fall that would not usually result in a break

Do I need to prepare for my BMD scan?

No special preparation is required for a BMD scan. If you have any previous BMD results, please bring them along to your appointment so they can be compared against your current results. You will also be asked for your height, weight, and medical history before your scan.

It is best to wear loose, comfortable clothing with no metallic objects like zips or metal buttons. Please also remove jewellery, keys, wallets, belts, removal dental appliances, and any other metal objects, as these may all affect the quality of your scan. You will be provided with a gown before the scan if necessary.

If you take calcium supplements, please stop taking them 24 hours before your scan. Please let a staff member know if you are pregnant when booking your scan. Contrast materials can sometimes interfere with BMD scans, so please also let a staff member know if you have recently had a barium exam, a CT scan with contrast, or a nuclear medicine scan.

What happens during a BMD scan?

You will be asked to lie on the scanning bed before the machine scans your body. Your radiographer may use a cushioned box or a frame to ensure you are positioned correctly on the bed.

The machine uses two different x-ray beams to scan your body – these beams help to distinguish bone from other tissues. BMD scans usually include your lower spine and hips, but sometimes, other areas like the forearm may need to be scanned.

You may need to hold your breath for a few seconds while your radiologist takes the images – this helps to reduce the chance of images becoming blurred.

After your BMD scan, your report and images will be sent electronically to your doctor. Reports and images will be also available electronically via the patient app and web portal after your examination.

How long will my BMD scan take?

The scanning time is around 5 minutes, but the total duration of the appointment is about 30 minutes.

How much radiation dose of a BMD scan?

The radiation dose is very low – it is about one-tenth of the radiation dose you would get from a chest x-ray.

How much will my BMD scan cost?

The cost of your BMD scan will depend on your eligibility for a Medicare rebate. Please discuss your eligibility for a rebate with your referring doctor before booking an appointment with Qscan. Our customer service team will be able to provide you with more specific information, including any out-of-pocket costs (if relevant).

PET-CT

What is a PET-CT scan?

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is a subtype of nuclear medicine that uses a PET-CT scanner to detect cell activity within your body. The scanner is very similar in size and appearance to a normal CT scanner.

PET-CT scans provide information on how the tissues and organs in your body are working. This means they are often used to find, diagnose, and stage many disorders, including cancer. PET-CT scans are also effective in assisting with treatment plans for surgery and radiotherapy, and in evaluating the efficacy of such treatment.

PET-CT scans are conducted with the help of a radioactive tracer. In Australia, the most commonly used tracer is 18-FDG (fluoro-deoxyglucose). Before your scan, you will be injected with a tracer, which will gradually disperse throughout your body. It will accumulate in some of your body’s cells, and will highlight areas where abnormal cells may be located.

A PET-CT scanner can then determine the location and intensity of the disease process, and generate a whole-body image for analysis. A CT scan is obtained at the same time to provide precise information on structural changes to the affected tissues.

Do I need to prepare for my PET-CT scan?

When you are booking your PET-CT scan, please notify staff if you:

  • think you may be pregnant
  • are breast feeding
  • have kidney failure
  • have diabetes
  • have had a previous adverse reaction to intravenous contrast for CT scans
  • are severely claustrophobic
  • have any allergies
  • are taking any medications

Having accurate dates of your most recent therapies, including surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, will also help in the booking process.

Prior to your scan, please refrain from the following:

  • Strenuous exercise (including jogging, swimming, and cycling) for 24 hours
  • Eating or drinking fluids other than water for 6 hours
  • Chewing gum or sucking on sweets for 1 hour
  • Drinking water for 30 minutes

On the day of your scan, please bring all relevant imaging, if you have had scans conducted elsewhere, so it can be uploaded onto our system for comparison.

Please ensure you are on time for your scan. Tracers decay rapidly after production, and your administered dose has been calculated based on your body weight and to align with your appointment time. Our outstanding PET-CT scanners can detect even the lowest levels of radioactivity, but it is best to conduct a PET-CT scan 60 minutes after an optimised dose has been injected.

What happens during a PET-CT scan?

Before you have the scan, a cannula will be placed into one of your veins. You will then proceed to an uptake room, where the tracer will be administered. It takes 60 minutes for the tracer to disperse throughout your body. During this time, you will rest in one of our recliners. It is very important that you completely relax your body – we recommend keeping movement to a minimum, and avoiding reading, speaking, eating, and drinking if possible.

After 60 minutes, you will be taken to our PET-CT scanner. You will lie on a table, which will move you through the scanner. It is very important that you lie as still as possible while the scanner is operating.

After your scan, a PET-CT technician will generate the images and upload them onto our private electronic database. Our highly trained subspecialist PET Radiologists will interpret the images, produce a report, and send it to your referring doctor.

Our Radiologists have very close working relationships with many of the referring doctors and will contact them urgently if appropriate. 

Are there any risks associated with a PET-CT scan?

18F-FDG has a half-life of just under 2 hours. This means less than 10% of the radioactivity generated by the tracer is left in your body after 8 hours, and it will clear your body within 24 hours.

Typically, a patient receives 5mSv of radiation from the tracer and approximately 9mSv from the CT component of the test. A total dose of 14mSv is a very safe level of radiation exposure, even if multiple scans are required over a period of time.

How long will my PET-CT scan take?

Please arrive 45 minutes before your appointment time so the tracer can be properly administered. The scan itself takes 30-40 minutes, depending on what type of scan you are having. In total, a PET-CT scan will take around 2 hours.

Our friendly Qscan customer service team will let you know how long your appointment is scheduled for at the time of booking.

How much will my PET-CT scan cost?

Qscan bulk bills all Medicare eligible PET-CT scans if you have a referral from a specialist doctor. A referral received from a general practitioner or another non-specialist health care provider will incur a gap payment. Some cancers and inflammatory disorders are not covered by a Medicare rebate, even if referred by a specialist, and these referrals will also incur a gap payment.

Our customer service team will be able to advise you of any costs that may be involved with your PET-CT scan.

After your PET-CT scan, your report and images will be sent electronically to your doctor.

Workcover

Qscan are leaders in the provision of world class diagnostic imaging and interventional services. We understand the difficulties associated with workplace injuries and the frustration often experienced in gaining appointments for multiple tests and procedures.

At Qscan we have dedicated appointments available for workcover patients and a team of professional staff able to make the process simple and comfortable for you. Our Specialist Doctors provide a comprehensive report to your referring Doctor following the examination.

Whether you require an X-ray, Computed Tomography (CT) scan, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan or image guided injections for a painful injury you can be assured of the highest quality treatment in a timely manner on every occasion at Qscan.

Sports Imaging

A branch of Musculoskeletal imaging, Sports Imaging involves diagnosis and image guided intervention to treat chronic and acute sporting injuries.

Qscan Radiology has a team of Radiologists who have many years of experience within this specialist area, having lectured and published on Sports Imaging and the interventions common in this area.

We have ongoing relationships with many Orthopaedic Surgeons and Sports Physicians and therapists, several of whom are responsible for the medical care of some of Queensland’s top athletes and most well-known professional sporting teams. Our diagnostic examinations and imaging guided interventional procedures have made us an integral part of managing elite and amateur athletes through their injuries

The fact that we are chosen by these specialist doctors to care for their patients is a reflection of our expertise in this area. The Musculoskeletal Imaging team include Dr Mark Burgin, Dr James FitzGerald, Dr David Simpson, Dr Gary Shepherd, Dr Hal Rice, Dr Susan Ly, Dr Cameron Napper, Dr Aziz Osman, Dr Justin Baulch and Dr Arash Moghaddam.

The range of diagnostic services available includes MRI, Musculoskeletal Ultrasound, Nuclear Medicine Bone scans, Computed Tomography (CT) and Digital Radiography. We also specialise in interventional procedures related to sports injuries using Fluoroscopy, Ultrasound or CT guidance.

Mammography

What is a mammogram?

A mammogram is a low-dose x-ray examination performed using a dedicated mammography x-ray unit. Mammograms are used to examine breast tissue and can detect breast cancer before you show any visible signs or symptoms of the disease.

Do I need to prepare for my mammogram?

Please do not apply any talcum powder or deodorant before your mammogram, as they contain substances that can alter image quality, and can sometimes even mimic pathology. If possible, please wear a two-piece outfit, as this will make you more comfortable throughout the examination process.

Please bring any previous mammogram images with you to our appointment. These images may be used for comparison and are extremely helpful in determining minute changes that may have occurred in this region of the body.

It is also recommended that you reach out to your relatives to see if they have ever been diagnosed with breast cancer, or have had tumours or other health-related issues in the chest region. This helps to form a more accurate picture of your family history as it relates to breast cancer or other related diseases.

It is also helpful if they can provide any information about their diagnosis, including their approximate age at first diagnosis.

When you arrive for your appointment, you will be required to complete a questionnaire detailing your presenting symptoms and any known family history.

What happens during a mammogram?

You will change into a gown and remove any clothing on your top half. A radiographer will take you into the mammography room and thoroughly explain the procedure and what will be expected of you. This includes a demonstration of the equipment that will be used.

During a mammogram, your breast tissue is compressed between the mammography unit’s paddle and detector. Compression is necessary as it increases image detail, reduces radiation dose, and prevents blurring that may be caused by movement. You may experience some discomfort, but this will only last for a few seconds while the image is being taken. Please let your radiographer know if you experience pain at any point during your scan.

A routine mammogram is usually performed in a standing position. At least two images of each breast will be taken in different positions.
Once the scan is complete, your images will be viewed by a radiologist to ensure no further imaging is needed. Extra images may need to be taken in other positions so all suspicious appearances can be investigated thoroughly. This also ensures the radiologist can be confident in their report and findings.

Are there any risks associated with a mammogram?

All measures are taken to limit the radiation dose for mammograms. All routine images are checked with the radiologist prior to any subsequent imaging being performed. Please keep in mind your doctor believes that the benefit of having this examination performed outweighs the very small risk to your health that is caused by exposing your body to this low dose of radiation.

How long will my mammogram take?

A total of 60 minutes should be sufficient to allow for your complete mammogram examination.

A mammogram is quite a quick procedure; however, you should allow at least 30 minutes for your first examination. This ensures that there is adequate time for a detailed explanation of the procedure to be given, changing as well as sufficient time for the images to be checked with a Radiologist to ensure that no further views are required.

If you also require a breast ultrasound, this will take a further 30 minutes.

How much will my mammogram cost?

The cost of a mammogram depends on whether you meet Medicare criteria for a rebate. Please discuss your eligibility for a rebate with your referring doctor before you book an appointment.

BreastScreen Australia provides free screening mammograms for women over the age of 40 every two years. These are performed at dedicated government breast screening clinics. If you choose to have this mammogram done at Qscan, an out-of-pocket fee will apply.

Our customer service team will be able to advise you of all costs involved with your mammogram including any out-of-pocket costs.

 

After your mammogram, your report and images will be sent to your referring doctor. They will also be available electronically via the patient app and web portal.

Echocardiogram

Echocardiography utilises ultrasound to assess the structure and function of the heart. Soundwaves produced by the system provide detailed imaging of the heart, called echocardiograms, which can be used to diagnose and monitor heart conditions.

Scans are performed by highly skilled, sub-specialised sonographers with more than 10 years of experience in cardiac ultrasound.

Echocardiography can be used to assess things like:

  • The size and function of the heart chambers
  • The motion of the heart’s muscular walls
  • The state and function of the heart’s valves
  • The presence of fluid around the heart (pericardial effusion)
  • Ejection fraction, or the strength of contraction of the left ventricle (a measurement of how much blood the left ventricle pumps with each heartbeat)

Echocardiograms can be used to detect or monitor a range of conditions like congenital heart disease, endocarditis, cardiomyopathy, valve disease and more.